The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-12-17
ROOT DEFENDS WOOD
In Letter to Senate Committee Says
False Evidence is Made Public.
CITES GEN. BLISS TESTIMONY

Secretary Of War Declares II Unf-ir
That Woods Reputation Be Stabbed
While He Is Serving His Country In
the Philippines.
Washington. Dec. 10. Secretary
/ Root has addressed the following let
| ter to Senator Proctor. acting chair
man OF the committee on military
affairs
"Slr: I enclose a letter from Briga-
der General Tasker II, Bliss, asking
attention to the report OF his recent
testimony before your committee as a
witnesses regarding certain objections
to the confirmation of General Wood.
II appears that the press reports OF
General Bliss testimony are the pre-
else contrary Of what he in fact testl-
fed lie wishes this set right for his
own reputation. and shall take the
liberty OF doing so as practicable by
giving his letter 10 the press
AT the same time | wish to call the
attention OF the committee to the fact
that some person seems TO be persis-
tently furnishing TO the press false
statements OF the testimony taken be-
fore you. the perversion OF the evidence
being in every case TO the prejudice
OF General Wood. IL cannot be- doubt
ed that the newspapers publishing
these reports believe them TO be true,
and that the reports are sent TO them
by the representatives Of the press in
good faith. under the same belief II
is evident that some person is under
taking 10 convey 10 the press repre-
sentatiyes information OF what goes on
in the committee. and Is taking adj
vantage OF the fact that the evidence
Is not published TO state II falsely. for
the purpose Of lnjuring General Wood
In the public estimation. so that. while
your committee will act upon the evil
dence actually before II, the public
Judgment as 10 how you ought 10 act
will be based upon an entirely differ
ent and erroneous idea OF what the
evidence is II the evidence actually
given called for General Woods pres
ence. | should OF course bring him
back from the Philippines but | do
not feel justified IN Withdrawing him
from the important duties which he Is
performing on account OF false reports
OF evidence which has never in fact
been given. II hardly seems fair that
an officer who is not mere to protect
himself but IS serving his country
faithfully under orders. on tho other
side OF the world should have his rep
utation stabbed in this way. / earn
setly request your committees atten-
ton 10 this subject.
"ELIHU ROOT. Secretary OF War"
General Bliss In his letter contra
diets the report that he strongly OPP
posed the admission. without payment
Of duty. Of the silver service purchased
In New York by the Jsi Alai and that
he received mandatory instructions
from General Wood 10 admit said sill
yer free Of duty lie says he testified
most positively under oath that neither
directly not indirectly. verbally nor in
writing. personally from him nor
through any subordinate nor from any
person whatsoever had | received even
an intimation as 10 the remission OF
duties upon these articles: that l or
dered the remission Of duty because
believed then and believe now that
II was IN accordance with the law;
that if any mistake was made was
solely responsible for H. further tcs-
tilted that during the two and a-half
years that served directly under the
orders OF General Wood as military
governor OF Cuba know OF no action
OF his that was not consistent with the
character OF an honorable officer and
man OF integrity"