New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-15
WOOD DEFENDED BY ROOT
Peports Of Testimony Largely False,
the Secretary Says.
IRON ME TRIBUNE ruRrAu.I

o.
washington Dec 1.-THE opposition 10 the
confirmation OF Leonard Wood as q major gen
e-al has reached its last ditch. and to-day made
q formal demand that General Wood be called
before the Senate Committee on Military At
fairs 10 testify in his own defence This de-
nand is however. voiced 10y only two members
o. the committee. and there is little likelihood
that il viii be granted The demand that sub
committee be sent 70 Cuba 70 conduct. an in
,estigation there has also been renewed with
rs little chance Of success.
Members OF the committee generally have
come 70 feel that they are being imposed upon.
+hst their time Mas been wasted listening 70 a
mass of evidence that has been in every instance
reflred 10y more trustworthy witnesses than
those called for the prosecution. and they regard
the demands made to-day as merely excuses for
further delay. made with the full knowledge of
rhe fact THAI a favorable report is certain 10 he
made sooner or later
The majority OF the committee has about de-
teruined 70 give notice 10 the opposition that all
testimony must be presented not later than
wednesday. When the last evidence has been
received it viii be embodied in report. and II is
not likely that il can be sent 70 the Senate until
sftsr the Christmas recess
T IS authoritatively stated that the reports
which are appearing in the press from day 10
dsv are totally ar variance with the evidence
presented 70 the committee. and are being viii
fully distorted with the hope OF creating popu-
lsr sentiment against Wood Of sufficient weight
70 react on the members OF the Senate when
The question Of confirmation comes before that
body for final action. That the committee will
report in favor Of confirmation. all hut two
members concurring, IS certain
BLISS TESTIFIED FOR WOOD.
Secretary Root has addressed the following
lette- TO Senator Proctor. acting chairman Of
The Committee on Military Affairs:
Sir: inclose a letter from Brigadier General
Tasker z Bliss, asking attention 70 the report Of
BIS recent testimony before your committee as
witness regarding certain objections 10 the
confirmation OF General Wood Il appears that
the press reports Of General Bliss testimony
testified he wishes this set right for his own
reputation and shall take the liberty of doing
20 as Tar as practicable by giving his letter TO
Al The same time I wish to call the attention
O YOUR committee 70 the fact that some person
seems 70 be perslstently furnishing 10 the press
false STATEMENTS Of the testimony taken before
voU. the peTKersion Of the evidence being in
every case 10 the prejudice Of General Wood
Z cannot be doubted that the newspapers pub
fishing these reports believe them 10 be true
and that the reports are sent TO them bv the
representatives Of the press in good faith, under
the same belief II is evident that some person
Is Undertaking TO convey TO the press repre-
ssntsJives information OF what goes on in the
committee. and is taking advantage Of the fact
that the evidence IS not published 70 state II
falsely, for the purpose OF injurfng General
Wood il the public estimation: so that while
your committee viii act upon the evidence
actually before II. the public judgment as 70
how ycG ought 20 act viii be based upon an en-
tirsv different and erroneous idea of what rhA
evidence is II the evidence actually given called
fer General Woods presence. should Of course
hiring hin back from the PHILIPPINES. but do
~ fee justified in withdra wing him from the
important duties which he is performing on ac-
count o. false reports Of evidence which has
never. n -act- been given II hardly seems fair
thar nsbnsT who here protect him
SET but Is serving his country faithfully under
orders on TIE other side % the world. should
have his reputation stabbed in this way.
earnestly request YOUR committees attention m
thls subject Very respectfully
ELIHU ROOT. Secretary Of War
General Bliss in his letter contradicts the re-
port thar h. strongly opposed the admission.
without payuenr If DUTY. Of the silver service
purchased Z New-Yorl by the Jai Alai Com
psnv and that h received mandatory instrlc-
tons from General Wood 70 admit the service
re q duty. He says he testified most posi-
uFe-I under oath that neither directly nor indi-
IT--2- verbally nor in writing. personally from
Mn nor through any subordinate nor from
ety person whatsoever. had received even an
iEtimation as 10 the remission Of duties upon
ihese articles that ordered the remission OF
GUY because ] believed then and believe now
ne' n was IN accordance with the law: that if
any mistake was made I was solely responsible
Ief i further testified that during the Two
snc hair wears that I served directly llnder
ne orders q General Wood as Military Gov
eThor OF cuba knew OF action OF his that
AS nor consistent with the character OF an
honorable orloer and man Of integrity"