New-York tribune., 1900-01-21
MAJOR GENERAE LEONARD WOOD.
Governor General Of Cuba

had ended and peace had brought IN its train the
obligation 10 hold and govern SPANS former in
sular Dependencies what cry raised in
tain overcr1ucal quarters OF American incapacy TO
administer the affairs OF alien tropical coIonfes
What distrust proclaimed OF American fitness
70 take up that burden Of even and enlightened
rule within the tropics which English colonial
administration had been hardened only by years OF
painfully accumulated experienced
Forgetting that almost e century ago Claiborne
hs6 been sent from Virginia TO govern Jenersons
Jew purchase. Louisiana-a territory then as alien
n life and population Cuba or Puerto Rico now
isand thar from hts appearance in New-Orleans
and that OF Clarke and Lewis in Missouri dates the
long line OF American administrators and empire
builders through whose labors the vast tract from
the Mississippi 10 the Pacific absorbed and
civilized. these faint hearted prophets could
future for American military government in the
annexed dependencies but long and slow approach
70 the exalted English model American adapta-
bity, American training, American resourceful-
were TO go for nothing. and or twenty
years was the period obviously set for the devel-
Oprnent OF group OF genuinely equipped colonial
administrators. Less than two years have passed
since this outburst Of seIf-depreciation and only
twelve months since the experiment Of American
rule in the tropics begun under conditions
which, n Cuba, offered a really searching test
oS ITS range and quality. But who would hesitate
now 20 compare the results OF one years American
occupation n Cuba with those achieved by the
British colonial service IN any parallel field. to
r Wilson with the foremost EngIishmen who have
struggled 10 implant Northern ideas OF order and
progress in the unrespOnsive soil Of the tropics?
GENERAL WOODS OPPORTUNITY
ot the three colonial administrators who have
demonstrated afresh American adaptability TO un-
fcreseen responsibilities and duties Leonard Wood
the new Military Governor OF Cuba, is deservedly
the most conspicuous figure The only one OF the
three 70 be intrusted with power IN that part Of
the island held by the United States before the
final Spanish evacuation. his experience with Gu
ban affairs has been the longest and most varied.
Thrown absolutely on hts own resources, without
treaty obligations governmental promises 70
guide or bind him, he forced to tranquiIlize
and rehablitate the eastern province by methods
u his own invention Administering a district at
'nce the most impoverished and most unruIy n
Cuba, with pesthole for a capital his skill
executive taxed by demands which did not and
could not confront succeeding Military Governors
n the central and western departments For six
HonIns General Wood exercised unchecked the
powers OF benehcent despot and by that time the
work OF reconstruction had far advanced in
Santiago that Eastern Cuba necessarily served as
The model 10 which progress conformed in the
more tardly occupied parts Of the island
Sympathetic, alert untiring, outspokenIy frank
without vanity ostentation, General Woods per-
sonaty stood 10 the Cubans OF Santiago for quail
lies never before associated with occupant OF
The Governor Generals palace; while his energy in
lighting disease relieving distress revfv.ug industry
and enforcing order revealed 10 them side OF gov
lrnment which Spanish usage had long discarded
Is bothersome and visionary Il IS natural there
lore, that 10 large proportion of the people OF
Cuba. as wen as 70 equally large proportion In
this country. General Woods administration Of
Santiago Province seemed 10 give him especial dis
1ncnon among the American commanders to whom
the task OF Cuban reconstruction had been com
Fnirteo- Both al home and among the Cubans
themselves. this young and energetic officer ba5
come 10 De regarded as embodying most completely
the true American policy Of pachcarion and
progress and his recent promotion TO stprer,a |
command on the island has only en1uhasize5 ,ts
conslcuon that more than any other military gov
error IN Cuoa ne has realized adapted himself
70 the needs and the possibilities Of the hour
me quantities which make the new Governor Gen
eTal an exceptional administrator have been no,cs
abe AZ every stage in his official career To those
Who came in contact with him during his service |
as an Army surgeon his particfpariou in tbs So,
ago campaign seemed TO open up almost prov-t |
centtaIy field n which he could indulge ~ -,
bent OF vigorous and Commanding Dersona1,,,,
Win tbs added breadth that comes with a ,,r,i !
Fersity education. from toOch with the world ana
me practice OF an sxacttng profession Ike rned
clnes Leonard Wood was still soldier nv taste ana
instinct The recruiting OF the Ist United statss
volunteer Cavalry only gave the opportunftv he |
hAc long hoped for Of abandoning stan service for
the active duties Of the line. In Arizona he baa
headed expeditions against hostile Indiana ana
Dotn Held and garrison work had equipped hin, fo
Teanizng and commanding a regiment vV-bata,,s, |
glamour and romance which now s,rror,nd ,ha /
naeVeneuts Of the Rough Rlders az Is fsnast-
Ess and Sag Juan EiH 0lsZ-b De 6ustqofEsrsaTen.