Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-04
THE WOOD HEARING.
Opposition to the Generals Promotion
Have Busy Day.

Washington, Dec. 3.-The Senate
committee on military affairs, today
resumed it's hearing in connection with
charges filed against Gen. Leonard
Wood in opposition to his confirmation
10 be major general. Tie first Witiless
was Melville E. Stone, general mama
ger of The Associated Press
Mr.. Stone was questioned concern
ing the report that General Wood had
sought to retain T. G. Bellaires as the
representative Of The Associated Press
at Havana. He submitted letter
written by Major Runcie to Col.
Charles S. Diehl, assistant general
manager of The Associated Press.
which requested in behalf of Gen.
Wood, the retention of Bcllaires, say
ing it was important TO have a man
representing The Associated Press at
Havana who was in the confidence of
the, military governor. Mr.. Stone said
the matter was then under the charge
of Col. Diehl. Belaires was retained,
but his previous record was not known
to the officers of The Associated Press.
When it became known Bcllliries was
discharged. Mr.. Stone also was asked
as to what knowledge General Wood
had of Bellaires' record. but upon this
point he could give the committee little
information. 1t was decided that Col.
Diehl should be subpoenaea
Ray Siannard Baker, the man who
Major Runce said was at the dinner
with Gen. Wood and himself when The
proposed magazine article which criti-
cized Gen. Brooke was discussed, was
the next witness called.
Mr.. Baker confirmed some portions of
the testimony of Maj. Muncie and con-
tradicted or qualified other portions of it.
He denied that there had been any consul
taticn between himself and Gen. Wood
relative to the publication of Major Run
ceS article rejecting upon the adminis-
tration of Gen. Brooke. He said, how
ever. that he had talked with Gen. Wood
regarding an article which was SubSe
When asked whether he had converscd
with the President relative to the Wood
case. he replied in ti.. na%ttive and also
made practically The rany to Il qucs-
ton as to whether h.. n,'d conferred with
war department officials.
Concerning the article which was nun-
ltShed over the signature of Major Pan
Gle Mr.. Baker said that it had been Civ
en- him by Runcie, but so far rs he knew
Gen. Wood had had 10 knowledge Of it
previous to its publication lie said he
had taken dinner with Gen. Wood and
Maj. Runcic several times at Santiago,
but that the publication of an article at
lacking Gen. Brooke had never been the
subject of conversation.
Mr.. Baker had an engagement with the
President for a luncheon at the White
House, at 40, and on that account asked
the members of the commission to hasten
the examination as much as possible.
Mr.. Baker was questioned closely by
Senator Scott of the committee, and by
Senators Hanna and Teller. who were
present. They quoted Major Runce's let
ter to Baker. suggesting that the time
was opportune for the publication of the
Runcc article in Gen Woods interest.
and asked him if the letter did not show
that there bad been conferences on the
subject and an understanding. MI Baker
admitted that appearance would lead to
that inference. but insisted there had not
been amy understanding.
Alr. Baker admitted that he. Wood and
Kuncie had discussed Gen. Brooke's adj
ministraion of Cuban affairs, but said
the discussion had been inpersonal and
that Brooke's name had not been men
toned. He also said that Gen. Wood had
introduced him to Runcie when he first
went to Cuba.
At the afternoon session of the COM
mttee. the only witness heard was DIR.
Pablo DcSVernenie. who was secretary of
finance under the administration of Gen.
Brooke as governor general and later at
tornev for Major Rathbone. DIR. DesveS-
nenie's testimony related entirely to the
instructions given to the court by Cen
Wood. He charged that Gen. Wood had
changed laws of Cuba in order to admit
eX partc evidence in the postal eases.
Another charge made by DIR. DcSVer-
ncnic was that some of the judges who
tried the postal cases We're not named by
Gen. Brooke in the order creating the
courts, bat that they owed their appoint
mentS to Gen. Wood that Rathbones
counsel never understood that ex-parte
evidence was to he admitted in the trials
and that Gen. Woods construction, oven
of his amended law. was in contravention
of existing statutes. The witness declar-
ed that Gen. Woods order to the iudse of
first instance had the effect of controlling
judicial powers and made Gen. Wood the
court of last appeal unto himself. The
witness also asserted that the bond OK
acted in the Rathhono case was excessive
and unwarrantcd by law.
The committee adjourned to meet again.
next Monday.