Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-12-08
1T IS UNDERSTOOD GENERAL WOOD
HAS BEEN SELECTED.
BROOKE TO SUCCEED SKATER
LARGE PART OF MILITARY FORCE
IN CUBA TO BE WITHDRAWN.
This Will Leave General Wood Prac-
ticalIy Civil Governor. Although
Military Governor by Title
Regulars May Fight
Woods Promotion.

WASHINGTON. Dec. General Leon
ard Wood had conference with the secre
| tary OF war to-day respecting his future
| Whie neither of the principals had any.
'hihs TO say for publication as to the con.
ciuslonS reached, it is gathered that Gen.
ef"l WOOD Is to be the next governor OF
Cupa. succeeding General Brooke, who will
return to the United States. 1t is expected
mat the military force in Cuba can be
greatly reduced in the near future, so that
While General Wood, by commanding the
troops remaining. will be a military gov
ernor there will be little left of the mill
tary establishment that his office will be
h1uch more civil than military in fact. The
reduction in force will enable the war de-
partment to withdraw some, or perhaps
aii' OF the general officers Of the regulars
now in Cuba.
NEW YORK. Dec 7-Discussing the pro-
motion of General Wood to the rank of
major general, the Washington correspond
ent of the Herald says:
Though it has been apparent that the
president had further reward in store for
General Wood. there has been strong feel
ing IN the army in opposition to his APP
pointment as brigadier general in the
regular service, and this opposition has
undoubtedly caused the president to de-
termine TO make General Wood a major
general of volunteers and then place him
IN command of the military division of
Cuba
so opposed are some officers of the serv-
ice 10 General Woods advancement that it
IS expected a movement will be inaugu-
raled to prevent confirmation of the nomi-
nation by the senate. 1t is claimed by these
men that the advancement of a captain of
major general is calculated to subvert dis
cipline. disturbing existing methods of pro-
motion, and is apt to make the younger
ofncers devote more time to getting polit-
lcai pulls than to perfecting themselves
In their special branches. OF course, Cen
efal Woods appointment as governor of
cuba will depend upon the confirmation of
the nomination.
General Brooke will complete a years
service in command of Cuba on January /
General Wilson and General Lee will some
time in the near future be appointed briga-
der generals of the regular service and
retired with that rank and Brigadier Gem
eral Ludlow, U. S. ", will be brought
nome. General Brooke will probably be as
signed to command the department of Cal
ifornia, to succeed Major General Shafter.
when that officer is retired as a major
general in accordance with the recommend
alton of Secretary Root
The decision of the president not to d.
VIDE CUBA into two departments as con-
templated at one time, placing General
Ludlow in command of the Western de-
partment, and General Wood of the East
.ern department, undoubtedly is due in part
to ths published interviews with General
LUDLOW, indicating that that officer was
opposed to the views of the administration
with respect to Cuba, and his statements
were calculated, it was believed, to make
the inhabitants of Cuba dissatisfied under
his administration.
General Wood will not Immediately take
command of the island. 1t is understood
that he will return to his post at Santiago
de Cuba the latter part of this week. or
early next week,and remain there straight
ening up the affairs of the department
preliminary to his transfer to Havana from,
which point he will administer the affairs
of the entire island