The sun., 1903-12-09
WHY GEN. WOOD WAS BOOSTED
FAVORITISM, NOT MERIT, SAYS
GEN. u. II. WILSON.
He Also Says When He Spoke to BellaIrs
About Unjust Articles Bellairs Replied
lie Was standing Up for His Frientls"
Major Dudley Against Jai Alai.

WASHINGTON, Dec. s-The investigation
OF the charges against Gen. Leonard Wood
was resumed by the Senate Military Affairs
Committee this morning, the first witness
being M. c. Fosnes of the Post Office De-
partnent, who was Inspector of Cuban
posts under the military government
and investigated the accounts of Director
fathbone of the Cuban posts. He was fol-
lowed by Major Dudley, who was Judge
Advocate under Gen, Woods administra-
ton, and by Gen. James H. Wilson, U. s. A.,
retired, who for time was Governor Of
Matanzas province.
Mr.. Fosnes, who succeeded Major Rath-
bone as Director-General of Posts Of Cuba,
testified that when the postal trials came
up he was approached by Judge Ortiz,
OF the Audiencia Court. having jurisdic-
ton over the cases, who suggested that
the Bristow report on postal Investigations
in Cuba be translated into Spanish and
placed at the disposal of the court. Fosnes
said he made no decisive reply to this
astounding proposal
The committee asked him if he knew
whether or not Gen. Wood or his subordi-
mates had suggested giving the report to
the trial Judges, and Mr.. Fosnes replied
That it was his understanding at the time
that Gen. Wood had made the suggestion.
At that time the matter made a scandal,
1t being understood that an attempt was
on foot to corrupt the Judges, or at least
to influence their judgment.
Major Edgar >. Dudley testified that
while he was Judge-Advocate at Havana
the application of the Socedad Anonima
Jai Alai for concession was referred to
him by Gen. Wood and that, after careful
examination. he recommended to Gen. Wood
that the concession be denied, on the ground
that 1t was gambling scheme and prejudi-
cial to public morals. Nevertheless. the
concession was granted.
When the matter was referred to the
War Department., by some hocus-pocus
the concession did not appear to be for
the Jai Alai game, but merely for an -amuse-
Department was informed no concession
was granted for anything else.
Gen. Wilson'S testimony bore on the case
of "Bellairs," the Associated Press corre-
spondent in Cuba whose laudatory articles
concerning Gen. Wood attracted much
attention. Gen. Wilson referred to articles
written by Belairs which were grossly
unjust to Gen. Brooke and to himself.
and he said he had called Bellairs to ac-
count. Bellairs replied that he was stand
ing up for his friends"
1t was Gen. Wilson's belief, as expressed
to the committee, that Belairs's chief
object in Cuba was to advance Woods
fortunes at any expense to other army
officers
Gen: Wilson was'asked to give his opinion
regarding Gen. Woods fitness to be made
Major General and whether Woods SER
vice had been of such merit as to Justify
his promotion over so many other officers.
Gen. Wilson replied that he regarded Gen.
Woods advancement as the result of favor
itism rather than merit. He spoke quite
bitterly on the matter.
The committee adjourned until to-mor-
row morning 1t has given notice to Sena
bone to have their witnesses here by Dec.
10, when 1t is proposed to end the hearing.