The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-12-17
Gen. Bliss ASKS
TO Be SET RIGHT
Army Officer Declares His Testi-
mony in Woods Case Was
Falsely Reported.
LETTER OF SECRETARY ROOT TO
COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS
Press Reports of Testimony Before
Commission Precisely Contrary to
That Given-Secretnry of War Asks
That Matter BE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Their Testimony in Case.


Their Testimony in Case.
Washington, Dec 15.-Secretary Root
has addressed the following letter to
Senator Proctor, acting chairman OF the
committee on military affairs:
Sir: | inclose letter from Brig.
Gen. Tasker H. Bliss asking attention TO
the report of his recent testimony before
your commission as a witness regarding
certain objections to the confirmation OF
Gen. Wood. 1t appears that the press
reports of Gen Bliss testimony are the
precise contrary of what he has in fact
testified. He wishes this set right for
his own reputation, and shall take the
liberty of doing SO as far as practicable
by giving his letter to the press. At the
same time | wish to call the attention
of the committee to the fact that some
persons seem to be persistently furnish
ing to the press false statements OF the
testimony taken before YOU the per-
version of the evidence being in every
case to the prejudice of Gen. Wood.
1T cannot be doubted that the news
papers 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. 1t is evident that some person is
undertaking to convey to the press rep
resentatiyes information of what goes
on in the committee, and is taking adj
vantage of the fact that the evidence is
not published to state it falsely for the
purpose Of injuring Gen. Wood in the
public estimation. So that, while your
committee will act upon the evidence
actually before it, the public judgment as
to how you ought to act will be based
upon an entirely different and erroneous
idea Of what the evidence is. If the evil
dence actually given called for Gen.
Woods presence, | should of course
bring him back from the Philippines,
but 90 not feel justified in withdrawing
him from the important duties which he
is performing on account of false re-
ports of evidence which has never in fact
been given. 1t hardly seems fair that an
officer who is not here to protect him
self, but is serving his country faithfully,
under orders, on the other side of the
world, should have his reputation
stabbed in this way. | earnestly request
your committees attention to this sub
ect. Very respectfully,
"ELIHU ROOT,
Secretary of War"
Gen. Bliss Letter.
Gen. Bliss in his letter contradicts the
report that he strongly opposed the adj
mission, without payment Of duty, of the
silver service purchased in New York
by the Jai Alai and that he received
mandatory Instructions from Gen. Wood
to admit said silver service free Of duty
He says he testified most positively I'M
der oath that neither directly nor in
directly, verbally nor in writing, person
ally from him nor through any subor-
dinate nor from any person whatsoever
had received even an intimation as to
the remission of duties upon these ar
ticles; that | ordered the remission OF
duty because | believed then and be
lieve now that 1t was in accordance with
the law; that if any mistake was made
| was solely responsible for it. further
testified that during the 2h years that
| served directly under the orders OF
Gen. Wood as military governor of Cuba
| knew of no action of his that was not
consistent with the character Of an hon
Orable officer and a man of integrity
During the hearing in the Wood case
before the senate committee Monday
Senator Hanna made a formal request
of the committee that Gen. Wood be
subpoenaed to come home from the
Philippines In order that he may answer
the charges against him and that he may
be questioned concerning his actions In
Cuba