The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-04
SENATOR HAN Ma /.
ASKS QUESTIONS
West Virginia Senator Is Also $50
Greatly Interested in Testi:-
\ '71,7!El lnony- N Nj. !; Baker d Urged
Committee to Hasten En-
animation, as He Had
san Engagement,
(By Associa ted Press.).

& WAsHINGTON, D. c., Dec, 3-The
Senate Committee on Military Affairs
to-day resumed its hearing IN connection
with charges flied agalnst General Leon
ard Wood. in opposition to his confllr-- r.
nation to BIO major-general. The first
witness was Melville 2. stone, general
lpfanager Of the Associated Press.
Mr.. Stone was questioned concerning
the report that General. Wood had sought
To retain T. G. sBellars, as tho repre-.
sentative of the Associated Press at Eia'
yana. He submitted a letter, written by
Major Runcie to Colonel Charles
Diehl, assistant gcneral-manager OF the
Associated Press, which requested in4be-
half Of General Wood, the retention, OF
Bellars, saying It was impo ortant to have
q man representing the Associated Press
at II ayana swho was In the confidence 81
the Military Gov vernon. MIR. Stone SAID
the matter was then under the charge
Of Colonel i Diehl. Belairs was retained,
but his previous record was not known
/ u: tho officers OF the Associated Press,
when It became known, Bellairs was dis
charged Mr. stone was ask ed AS to what
Knowledge General Wood y had of Bel
fairs record but upon this point he gould
Rive the committee little fitf lorna Lon: II
w vas decided that Colonel 5Diei1l should be pc
subpoenaed. .,, lis.
Baker on Stand. '
Ray stannard Baker, the man whom
Ma Tor Runcie had at the dinner with
General Wood and himself, when the
proposed magazine article 81 crltlclslng
General Brooke. was disguised. was the
next witness called. =
hs Mr.. Baker confirmed some portions OF
the testimony OF Major Runcie. and con.
tradicted or qualified other portions OF
Il. He denied that there had been any
Consultation between himself and Gem
Aral Wood relative to the pu ubllcauon OF
Major Runcie's article. reflecting upon
tho administration OF General Brooke.
Hc said however, that he had talked
with General Wood regarding the article
which was subsequently published, over
his own signature. When asked whether
IL had conversed with the President re!a-
tive to the Wood case, he replied IN the
mega tive, and also made pracucaliy the
same reply toNa question as. 10 Wneeuet
ha had conferred with War Department
officials,
q Concerning the article. which was pup
lished over the signature Of Major Run.
die. Mr.. Baker said that It had been gwen
Fin by Runcie. but that SO far as ne
knew. General Wood had had no. knoWl-
edge of It previous to Its publication. lie
said he had taken dinner With Genelul
Wood and Major Runcie several times
al Santiago. but that the publication OF
al article attacking General Brooke had
never been the subject OF converse ton, ~.
Lunched With President.
Mr.. Baker had an engagement with
President Roosevelt for luncheon at the
white House and on that account asked
the members OF the committee to hasten
the examination as mucl, as possible.
B Mr., Baker was questioned closely py
senator Scott. Of committee. and bS Sen
ators Hanna and Teller, who We're pres
ent. They quoted Major Runcies let
Ter to Baker. suggesting that the time
VAS opportune for the publication. OF the
Runclo article IN General Woods interest
and asked him II the letter did not show
that there had been conferences on the
subject and a perfect understanding. MT:
Baker admitted that appearances would
lead to- that inference. but insisted there
had not been any understanding, :,
Mr.. Baker admitted that he Wood and
Runcie had discussed General Brooke's
administration Of Cuban affairs, but said
lie discussion had been impersonul and
that Brookes name, had not been men
toned,
n,ittee the only witness heard was Dr.