The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-12-19

''The people are becoming thorough.
ly aroused over that case," one west.
ern committeeman told group Of Re-
publican senators. "In the first place,
they cannot understand why u man
who was second-rate doctor q few
years ago shoule he 1zrgsss<'19 81 gvGR tss
heads of worthy soldiei.., -, is contem-
plated by Woods promotion. Second
ly, they regard the complacence of the
Republicans Of the military committee
toward the presidents orders that
Wood shall be confirmed, in spite of
the serious accusations that have been
made against him, with distrust and
disfavor. 1t is serious affair and
some thinking persons insist upon re-
garding it as the crowning culmina-
tion Of a series of outrages that Roose-
welt has visited upon the country
through unwarranted- interference in
the affairs of the army and navy"
This plain statement made a deep
impression upon the minds of the sena-
tors who heard it, and they admitted
that it was true. Senator Spooner of
Wisconsin practically told the presi-
dent the same thing two weeks ago,
but he was not successful in making
the slightest impression upon Mr..
Roosevelt. The president said he
would insist upon Woods confirmation
regardless of criticism. He is doing
more than that. He is using the vast
power of the presidents Office to pre-
vent full and free investigation of
Woods acts as governor general of
Cuba. The committee on military af-
fairs originally contemplated going in
to tile career of the White House fav-
Orite even to the minutest details, but
subsequently ascertaining that such a
course would not be agreeable to the
president arbitrarily cut down the
| scope of the investigation.
The presidents attitude toward
Wood and some other favorites in the
war and navy departments is reviving
public memory of his violent and mex
plicable partisanship against and
| hatred of such distinguished officers
as Admiral Dewey, Rear Admiral
Schley and Lieutenant General Miles.
| He never affronted Dewey but once
and that was on the occasion Of the
publication of the findings of the
Schley court of inquiry. The result of
that encounter was so different from
what the president expected that he
| has taken the utmost pains since then
to let the gallant old admiral severely
alone.
| He pursued Geenral Miles with all
| the vindictiveness of which he is capa-
bic until the moment that that fine
and brave soldier surrendered his ac-
tive duties to 60 upon the retired list.
He made General S. B. M. Young
lieutenant general and chief of staff,
and Young, obviously in difference to
the feelings of the president, on the
day that Miles retired and he himself
took command began his career as
commander in chief by snubbing
Miles.
A great many persons who keep in
touch with army matters have been
wondering ever since the announce
ment Of Young's appointment why it
was made. His record as a soldier is
slender and comparatively unimpor-
tant. Previous to the war with Spain
he had left scarcely an impress Of his
personality upon the army. Since he
became chief Of staff, however, he has
enjoyed privileges Of favoritism that
previously were never conferred upon
! even the presidents brother-in-law,
Captain Cowles. The first thing
Young did after assuming his high Of
fice was to oust Adjutant General Cor
bin by securing his transfer to the de.
partment of the east. Corbin was by
no means second-rate favorite him
self, but Young's power with the presi-
dent exceeded his own. PERHAPS the
explanation is to be found in Younp,s
report upon the operations OF the Sec.