The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-30
TROOPS WILL BE
REMOVED FROM CUBA
G sneral Woods Recommendation for q
Reduction in the Force Is Adopted.
No Danger OF an Outbreak.

Washington, Nov. IS. Cen Leonard
Wood, who reached Washington last
night, had a two hours conference with
the secretary of war to-aaJ. After the
conference Secretary Root announced
that his recommendations as to the re-
moval of troops from Cuoa had been
approved and the orIs.s would be is
sued putting them into sffact
General Wood says that in his opinion
all the rumors of impending trouble in
Cuba are groundless, 'that there was
no real prospect of a revolution and
that whatever friction and discomfort
did exist was due to the recent talk
of a civil government in the island.
When asked about the report of his
selection for this position General Wood
said:
Il do not know a thing about it. I
have heard nothing more of the plan
for a civil government than what |
have seen in the papers. 1t has not
been offered to me and I have not been
asked for any suggestions on the sub
ject. Whatever discomfort may nave
arisen among the Cubans on this sub
.ject grows I think, from their mis-
understanding of the meaning of the
term civil government. l rather take
it that they understand it to mean per-
manent American government for the
island This is only speculation, how
ever, for I heard nothing of these ru-
mors in Cuba before / left.
Il can speak of my own department.
There is no indication of trouble there.
On the contrary we have had turned
over 5000 rifles. Adding to these the
arms that have been retained for the
rural guard and those natives have
kept for the protection of their own
homes in the outlying districts l think
you will account for all the arms in the
province
When asked if there was any pos
sibility of an outbreak among the rural
guards, General Wood said:
mo more than there is of an insur-
rection among the police force in WASH
ington."
Concerning his mission to Washing
ton, he said that it was merely for con-
sultation about the reduction or the
American force in the island
Il have recommended a reduction OF
about 20 per cent Of the force in my de-
partment" said he, that is to say, the
recall of the 18th infantry and the re-
moval of a squadron from each OF the
cavalry regiments. think that this is
perfectly feasible. When I say that
Santiago is quiet, it is pretty talr
indication of the condition throughout
the island. Every revolution that has
started there has started in Santiago
province and in the last war 70 per cent
of the troops were drawn from that
province" ,
Regarding the general conditions in
his department, General Wood SAID that
they were favorable, that the courts
were being administered under as ml!d
an American supervision as was con-
sistent with keeping diligently at work
and preventing DELAYS in the admins
tration of justice. The people were be-
ing kept reminded that in case OF pal
pabe maladministration through reV7r-
sion to the old Spanish methods they
had always the right to appeal ana
| have any matter thoroughly investl-
| gated, People were being kept en-
| ployed and the detailed reforms of the
petty courts and the lower school sys-
| tenn were things that would come
| eventually through patient work ana
| local education.
| 1t is stated that the president has
| decided on the reward to be allotted
| to General Wood when his term or SER
vice in Cuba is over. 1t is said on
| good authority that General Wood Is
| slated to succeed General Sternberg an
surgeon general of the army when the
latter retires by law in June OF the
| coming year. 1t has been reported sew
| eral times that General wood would
| receive a brigadier generalshlp, as ne
| has been urged for this by some or MS
friends, in recognition of his services
|
| ward as governor of that province.
The president has been inclined to be
| stow some substantial recognition on
| him, but it is well understood the GIT
of a generals commission in the llne
would cause a great deal of feeling
among the officers of the regular estab-
lishment many of whom are Genera
Woods seniors by many years. The
same objection may hold to a lesser
extent in the medical staff. but 1t Is
| urged by the friends of General Wood
that he has proved himself eminenuS
capable in administrative work. It is
said that when he was last in Wash
ington the matter was talked over pc
tween him and the president and tina
General Wood was offered the place
and accepted it, although his prefer
ence was for place on the line. I'M:
was at the time he refused very nat
tering offer from the street rallWa!
syndicate here, refusal hardly likely
from a staff captain unless with somt
very definite prospect Of future prefer
ment in view.
The surgeon generalship would place
General Wood at the head of the med
| ical staff of the American army at bu
little over So years of age, making hin
the youngest officer ever holding thl
responsible position. 1t would leav
him 25 years of active service If he s.
. desired in a position carrying with
great prestige in the profession, DOT
at home and abroad.
General Wood has taken house il
Washington, No. 1916 Rhode Islam
. avenue where he has moved with hi
family, and it Is thought this is an
other indication that he will make nj
permanent residence here at no Yer
distant date.