New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-01
WOOD MAY BE SUMMONED
BROOKE ACCUSES HIN.
INSTRUMENTATION Charged-Talk of
Court Martial for Runcie.
[FRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.J

Washington, Nov. 3O-Much interest is taken
in the War Department in regard to the case of
Major James E. Runcie. who has been before
the Senate Military Affairs Committee giving
testimony against the confirmation of Brigadier
General Leonard Wood as a major general
Runce will appear before the committee again
in few days. The allegations which he makes
against General Wood are of a serious nature
and, while the testimony given by Runcia be-
fore the committee is as yet not fully disclosed
it has become known to the War Department
people that he charges General Wood with collu-
sion with himself in having published articles
which practically reflected on the administration
by brother officer. his predecessor. General
Brooke, of affairs in Cuba Official correspond
ence on file at the War Department, copies of
which have been furnished to the Senate
Committee. shows that General Wood denied
any such relations with Runcie, and it has
therefore. become question of veracity be-
tween General Wood and Major Runcie. who
was Woods confidential legal adviser. and who
lived with him in Santiago and Havana.
While Runcie is wealthy lawyer. who is said
to have no particular use for his salary. he is
of course, amenable to military discipline. being
retired officer of the army. and it is in this ca
Tacity that the War Department regards him
and may institute an investigation of his con-
duct. This is especially true. as General Brooke
Runcie brought before military court when
it was disclosed that Runcie had written the
articles rejecting on General Brooke's career
as Military Governor of Cuba.
Some army officers here believe that it Is a
question OF rejecting Woods nomination, which
would put him back. law officers say, to the
grade of brigadier general or the trial by court
martial Of RunCie.
GENERAL BROOKE'S EVIDENCE
General Brooke. formerly Governor General OF
Cuba gave testimony to-day before the Senate
Committee on Military Affairs which charged
INSTRUMENTATION against General Leonard Wood
General Brooke was before the committee more
than two hours. and occupied the entire time in
telling of General Woods conduct at Santiago.
The witness offered in support of his statements
many documents taken from the records in the
War Department and several papers from his
personal collection Al the close of his testi-
mony a member of the committee said that it
was probable that General Wood would have to
return from the Philippines and testify.
One of the charges made by General Brooke
is that General Wood violated the order which
required him in making improvements in San
tiago to submit estimates TO the Governor Cen
eraI AS evidence Of this violation. Genera!
Brooke called attention to the building of bar
racks at Santiago near the MORO without Cen
eral Wood first having given notice TO the de-
partment Havana. General Brooke said also
that General Wood continually sent communi-
cations to the War Department over the head
of his commanding officer. The witness assured
the committee that he cared nothing for the ig-
noring of his authority, but said that the pro-
ceeding had been detrimental to military dis
cipline
General Brooke called to the attention of the
committee in support of allegation that Gen
eral Wood had neglected TO work in harmony
with the military government, the matter of
General Woods attitude toward the newspapers
at Santiago which repeatedly made attacks
on General Brooke's administration. General
Brooke read a number Of these attacks. and also
his recommendation TO the War Department
that the papers he suppressed unless they de
sisted.
DENOUNCED BROOKE'S ORDER
one Of The extracts from the Independence"
published at Santiago which was read. a
bitter denunciation of General Brooke under the
canton of God Save Cuba" The article was
based or General Brookes order for the cen
affairs OF the island. under which