The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-07
OPPOSITION TO WOOD.
Fight on Him May Develop in
the Senate.

New York. Dec. 7.-Discussing the pro-
motion of General Wood to the rank of
major general, the Washington cores
pondent of the Herald says:
Though it has been apparent that the
president has further reward in store for
General Wood, there has been strong
feeling in the army in opposition to his
appointment as a brigadier general of the
regular service, and this opposition has
undoubtedly caused the president to de-
termine to make General Wood major
general of volunteers and then place him
in command of the military division OF
Cuba
So opposed are some officers of the ser
vice to General Woods ADVANCEMENT that
II Is expected movement VIII De lnauS-
urated to prevent cOnhrmatlon OF the
nomination by the senate. 1t is claimed
by these men that the advancement OF
captain of the medical corps to the high
rank of major general is calculated to
subVert discipline, disturbing eX1SJlng
methods of promotion and is apt to make
the younger officers devote more time to
getting political pulls than to perfect
OF course, General Woods appointment
as governor of Cuba will depend upon
the confirmation of the nomination.
General Brooke will complete years
service in command of Cuba on January
l. General Wilson and Genera Lee VIII
some time in the near future be appoint
ed br1gadier generals Of the regular ser
wee ana retired with Inat rank ana STl-
adler General Ludlow, Y 5; v, VIII be
brought nome General BROOKE, VIII PROB
ment of California, to succeed Major Cen
6ral Smarter, When tnaJ OIIlceT IS TeIlFeQ
as major general IN accotdance with
the recommendation of Secretary Root:
The decision of the president not TO dl-
vide Cuba into two departments as con-
templated at one time, placing General
partment and General Wood of the east
ern department undoubtedly is due in
part to the published interviews with
General Ludlow, indicating that that Of
hcer was opposed to the views OF the ad-
ministratiOn with respect to Cuba and his
statements We're calculated, 1t was bel1eV-
ed to make the inhabitants of Cuba dis
satsfied under his administration
General Wood was opposed to the eS-
tablishment of a civil government at this
time, but he is very popular, not only
in the eastern section of the island, but
and prominent CfubanS have acquainted
the president with their hope that he viii
be appointed governor.
General Wood viii 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
Strengthening up the affairs of the de-
partment preliminary to his transfer to
Havana. from which point he will admin
lister the affairs of the entire island. A
conference was held between Secretary
Root and General Wood at which the fu-
ture of Cuba was carefully discussed, and
it assumed that the secretary cOmmuni-
Gated to General Wood the wishes of the
adminiStra tiOn respecting the policy
which he should 1nauSurate and pursue
General Wood will continue to give the
Cubans as large measure of self gov
ernment under the military adminiStra-
ton they are able to control. increaS-
ing their authority as they grow accuS-
toned to exercising the functions of ad-
ministering their own affairs, 50 that
when the municipal elections are held,
to office viii have had experience to con-
duct their affairs.