The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-30
WOOD TRANQUIL.
Is Not Disturbed By
Rumors Of Cuban
Trouble.
NO REVOLT POSSIBLE.
Said He VIII Be Made Sur
geon General
Soon.
NO REVOLT POSSIBLE.

Washington, Nov 29.-Gen. Wood
who arrived in Washington today, said
that in his opinion all the rumors Of
impending trouble in Cuba were
groundless that there was no real pros
pect of 3 revolt and whatever friction
and discomfort did exist among the Gu
bans was due to the recent talk of
civil governor for the island. When
asked about the report of his selection
for this position, Gen. Wood said
Il do not know a thing about it.
have heard nothing of the plan
for a civil governor except
what I have seen in the papers.
II has not been offered to me, and
have not been asked for any sug-
gestions on the subject Whatever dis
content may have arisen among the
Cubans or this subject grows, think
fTQfa their misunderstanding Of the
meaning of the term civil governor.
rather take it that they understand it
to mean permanent American govern
ment for the island. This is only spec
ulation, however, for l heard nothing of
these rumors in Cuba before 1 left.
Il can 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 we have retained for
the rural guard and the guns that some
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 posi-
bility of an outbreak among the rural
guards, Gen. Wood said: mo more
than there is of an Instruction among
the police force in Washington"
He said his mission to Washington
was merely about the reduction of the
American force in the island.
Il have recommended reduction Of
about 20 per cent of the force in my
district" he said II think that this is
perfectly feasible. When l say that
Santiago is quiet. it is pretty fair
Indication of the condition throughout
the island Every revolution that
has started there has started in San
tiago province and in the last war 70
per cent of the troops were drawn
from that province
Regarding the general conditions in
his department Gen. Wood said that
they were favorable, that the courts
We're being administered under as mild
an American supervision as was con-
sistent with keeping them diligently at
work and preventing delays in the adj
ministration of Justice The people
were being kept reminded that in case
of palpable maladministration through
reversion to the old Spanish methods,
they had always the right to appeal
and have any matters thoroughly in
vestigated. People were being kept en-
ployed and the detailed reforms of the
petty courts and lower school system
were things that would come eventually
through patient work and local educa-
ton.
1t was stated that the president had
decided upon the reward to be allotted
to Gen. Wood when his term of service
in Cuba is over. 1t is said on good
authority that Gen. Wood is slated to
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 Gen. Wood would re-
ceive a brigadier- generalship, and he
was urged for this by some of his
friends in recognition of his services in
the Santiago campaign and afterwards
as governor of that province. The
president has been inclined to bestow
some substantial recognition on him,
but it is understood that the gift of a
generals command in the line would
cause a good deal of feeling among the
officers of the regular establishment,
many of whom are Gen. Woods seniors
by many years. The same objection
may hold good, to a lesser extent, in
the medical department, but Gen.
Woods friends claim he has proved
himself worthy. 1t is said that when
he was last in Washington, the matter
was talked over between him and the
president, and that Gen. Wood was Of
fered the place and accepted it, al
though his preference was for place
in the line. This was at the time he
refused a very fattering offer from the
street railway syndicate here, refusal
hardly likely from staff captain I'M
less with some very definite prospect
of future advancement in view.
The surgeon generalship would place
Gen. Wood at the head of the medical
staff of the army at but little over So
years of age, making him the youngest
officer ever holding this responsible po-
sition. 1t would leave him 25 years of
active service. if he so desired, in a
position carrying with 1t great pres
tige in the profession both at home and
abroad. Gen. Wood has taken a house
in Washington at No. 1918 Rhode Island
avenue. where, he has moved with his
family, and it is thought that this is
another indication that he will make his
permanent home here at no very dist
ant date.