Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-29
GEN. WOODS VISIT HERE
For Consultation Regarding American
Troops in Cuba,
Recommended Reduction of the Force
in His Depertment, Which Was
Approved by Secretary Root.

Gen. Leonard Wood had a two hours con-
ference with the Secretary of War today.
Gen. Wood said that in his opinion all the
runlors of impending trouble in Cuba We're
groundless, that there was no real pros
pect of a revolt, and that whatever fric-
ton 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-
ton for that position, Gen. Wood said: Il
do not know a thing about it. l have heard
nothing of the plan for a civil governor eN-
cept what 1 have seen in the papers. 1t has
not been offered to me, and / have not been
asked for any suggestions on the subject.
Whatever discomfort may have arisen
among the Cubans on this subject grows, L
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 | heard nothing of these rumOrS
in Cuba before l left.
No Trouble in Santiago Department.
II can spelk of my own department.
There is no indication of trouble there. On
the contrary, we have had turned in over
5000 rifles. Adding 10 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 an outbreak among the rural guard, Gen
Wood said: NO more thar there Is OF an
insurrection among the police force in
Washington
Reduction of Troops.
Concerning his mission to Washington, he
said that it was merely for consultation
about the reduction of the American force
in the island. Il have recommended re-
duction of about % per cent of the force in
my department" said Gen. Wood that is
to say, the recall of the 18th Infantry and
the removal of "A squadron from each OF
the cavalry regiments. ! think that this
is perfectly feasible. When l say thHt
Santiago is quiet, it is pretty fair irdlca-
ton of the condition throughout the island
Every revolution that has started there has
started in Santiago province, and in the
last 20 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 consistent with keeping
! them diligently at work and preventing de
| laws in the administration Of justice. The
| Deople were kept reminded that in case OF
palpable maladministration through rever-
| sion to the old Spanish methods they mad
| always the right to appeal and have any
matter thoroughly investigated
People we've being kept employed. and
the detailed reforms of the petty courts
| and the lower school system were things
! that would come eventually through pa
| tient work and local education.
mendation Approved.
! After the conference with Gen Wood,
| Secretary Root announced that his recon-
| mendations as to the removal of troops
had been approved, and that orders would
| be issued putting them into effect.
! Gen. Wood, who arrived in Washington
last night from Santiago, did not call at
| the White House today, as expected. He
called socially last night, being accom-
| panied by Mrs Wood and remained some
time. 1t is expected, however, that he will
/ have a conference with President Mchin-
! ley before he leaves here.