The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-30
Orders to BE Issued Soon Recalling
Infantry and Squadron from
Each Cavalry Regiment.
PEACE REIGNS IN THE ISLAND
AND THERE Is NO PROBABILITY OF
ANY SERIOUS DISORDER.
Wood to BE Appointed Surgeon Cen
eral of the Army When Sternberg
Retires Next Year.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-Gen. Leonard
Wood, who reached Washington last night,
had two hours conference with the Sec
retary of war to-day. After the conference
Secretary Root announced his recommenda-
tions as to the removal of troops from Cuba
had been approved and orders would be
issued putting them into effect.
General Wood said in an interview that
in his opinion all the rumors of impending
trouble in Cuba were groundless; that there
was no real prospect of a revolt, and that
whatever friction and discomfort did exist
among the Cubans was due to the recent
talk of civil governor for the island.
When asked about the report of his selec-
tion for this position, General Wood said:
II don't know a thing about it. / have
heard nothing of the plan for a civil gov
ernor, except what I have sees in the pa
pers. 1t has not been offered to and
have not been asked for any suggestions on
the subject. Whatever discomfort may have
arisen among the Cubans on this subject
grows, think, from their misunderstanding
of the meaning OF the term civil governor
rather take it that they understand it to
mean permanent American government for
the island. This is only speculation, how
ever for I heard nothing of these rumors
in Cuba before / left. / can only speak Of
my own department. There is no indication
of trouble there On the contrary, we have
had turned In over 5000 rifles. Adding to
these the arms that have been retained for
the rural guard and the guns that some of
the natives have kept for the protection OF
their own homes in the outlying districts
/ think you will account for all the arms in
the province"
When asked If there was any possibility
of outbreak among the rural guard, Cen
eral Wood said: mo more than there is of
an insurrection among the police force of
Washington
Concerning his mission to Washington he
said that 1t merely for consultation
about the reduction Of the American force
in the island. Il have recommended
duction OF about 20 per cent. in the force in
my department" said General Wood: "that
is to say, the recall of the Fifteenth In
fantry and the removal of a squadron from
each Of the cavalry regiments. L think this
Is perfectly feasible. When / say that San
tiago is quiet 1t is pretty fair 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"
CONDITIONS FAVORABLE.
Regarding the general conditions in his
department General Wood said they were
favorable, that the courts were being ad-
ministered under as mill an American SUI
pervision as was consistent with keeping
them diligently at work and preventing de-
lays in the administration of justice. The
4
case of palpable maladministration through
reversion 10 the old Spanish methods they
had always the right to appeal and have
any matter thoroughly investigated. People
were being kept employed, and the detailed
reforms of the petty courts and the lower
school system were things that would come
eventually through patient york and local
education
1t Is stated the President has decided on
the reward to be allotted TO General Wood
when his term of service in Cuba is over
1t is said good authority that General
Wood is slated TO succeed Gen. George NJ.
Sternberg as 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 re-
ceive a brigadier generalship, and he has
been urged for this by some of his friends
in recognition of his services in the San
tiago campaign and afterward governor
of that province. The President has been
inclined to bestow some substantial recog-
milton on him. but it is well understood
the gift of a generals commission in the
line would cause a great deal OF feeling
among the officers of the regular establish
ment, many of whom are General Woods
seniors by many years. Tho same objection
may hold TO a lesser extent in the medical
staff, but it is urged by the friends Of
General Wood that he has proved himself
eminently capable in administrative work
II is said that when he was last in WASH
ington the matter was talked over between
him and the President and that General
Wood was offered the place and accepted 1t.
although his preference was for a place
in the line. This was at the time he re-
fused very iattering offer from the
street-railway syndicate here. a refusal
hardly likely from a staff captain unless
with some very definite prospects of future
preferment in view.
The surgeon generalship would place Gen.
Wood at the head of the medical staff of
the American army at but little over thirty-
five years of age, making him the youngest
officer ever holding this responsible posi-
tion 1t would leave him twenty-five years
of active service. if he so desired. In a posi-
tion carrying with it great prestige in the
| profession both at home and abroad.
General Wood has taken a house in Wash
ington, No. 1918 Rhode Island avenue, where
he has moved with his family. and IL is
thought that this is another indication that
he will make his permanent residence here
at no very distant date.
sbarrati Calls on the President.
| WASHINGTON, Nov. o. Monsiguor
sz,.a.-a4f azsisfa to the ranaI laolo.a a