The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-12-04
BROOKE TESTIFIES
AGAINST GEN, W00l
Says Wood Was Inclined to In
subordination When at
Santiago.
COMMITTEE INTERESTED
Testimony Is Followed With Mucl
Concern, and 1t Is Thought Wood
May Be Called Home From
Philippines to Testify.

Washington, Dec. 3.-Major Genera
John r. Brooke, retired former gov
ernOr general Of Cuba, today gave tes
timony before the senate committee OF
military affairs which charged in.
subordination against General Leonard
Wood. General Brooke was before the
committee more than two hours, ant
occupied the entire time in telling O!
General Woods conduct at Santiago
The witness offered in support of his
statements many documents taker
from records at the war department,
and several papers from his personal
collection. At the close of his testi.
mony member Of the committee said
that it is probable General Wood would
have to return from the Philippines and
testify.
One of the charges made by General
Brooke is that General Wood violated
the order which required him in max
ing improvements in Santiago to sub
NIT estimates to the governor general.
AS evidence of this violation Genera.
Brooke called attention to the build
ing of barracks at Santiago near the
Moro without General Wood first hav-
Ing given notice to the department at
Havana. General Brooke said also that
General Wood continually sent COM
munications to the war department
Ger. The witness assured the commit
tee that he cared nothing for the ignor
ing Of his authority, but said the pro-
ceeding had been detrimental to mill
'ary discipline.
The Newspaper Attacks.
General Brooke called to the atten-
tion of the committee in support of an
allegation that General Wood had neg
lected to work in harmony with the
in, r1,l ar ~
General Woods attitude toward the
newspaper at Santiago, which repeat
edly made attacks on General Brooke'a
administration. General Brooke read a
number Of these attacks and also his
recommendation to the war department
that the papers be suppressed unless
they desisted.
One Of the extracts from the Inde..
pendencia, published at Santiago,
which was read was a bitter denuncia-
ton Of General Brooke, under the cap
ton of God Save Cuba The article
was based on General Brooke's order
for the Capitalization Of affairs of the
island, by which receipts from all GUS
tom houses were ordered sent to Ha-
vana. The article amorg other things
said that if carried into effect the or
der would soon prohibit the people of
Santiago from breathing without per-
mission from General Brooke; that il
w do q ii1hlCi VI lilC anu ucdLIl " llle
province Of Santiago to get the order
rescinded.
A large number of kilograms of in
dignation sent to President Mckinley
were appended to the article.
Criticism of Brooks.
General Brooke read a letter which
he sent to the adjutant general Of the
war department asking that General
Wood be instructed to prohibit the
publication of such articles during the
period of military government. He
also read General Woods reply to the
adjutant general, which the witness
said had been sent over the head of his
superior officer, saying that freedom of
| speech, untrammeied criticism of the
! military government and absolute in
| dependence in all matters was a neces-
| sary part Of the education Of the Gu
| bans to fit them to conduct liberal
government.
| General Brooke told the committee
! that on January 5, 1899, General Wood,
without consulting his superior officer,
obtained permission to visit Washing
| ton, even though he left in allegiance
matters needing attention. Correspond
ence relating to the trip was laid be-
| fore the committee.
| In the course of General Brooke's
| testimony he said that General Wood
| became unduly excited when the Gu
tiago for the purpose of protesting
against the Capitalization order. The
witness laid before the committee the
| copy of a telegram he received from
General Wood saying that the Cubans
| looked up on the order as approaching
a calamity, and discomfort and pro-
found business depression existed.
Finally General Wood prayed that
the customs receipts be left under To-
cal control. The witness declared that
the attitude of General Wood was re-
sponsibe to great extent in adding
to the disquiet Of the Cubans.
Testimony Closely Followed.
Members of the committee took
great interest in General Brooke's tes-
timony and steps were taken to have
copied number of the papers he Of
fered in evidence.
The committee will make acquisitions
on the war department for ali corre-
spondence and documents between the
! war department and General Wood re-
garding electric lighting and power
concessions for Havana.
! A subpoena was issued today for
| Burt A. Miller of Canton, O., an agent
at Havana for a Maryland bonding
house. He will be asked concerning
General Woods alleged influence on
court instructions.
! A subpoena was issued for Corydon
N. Rich of Muncie, Ind, who was chief
of the bureau of finance. department of
posts, during American occupation of
Cuba. The committee adjourned until
| Thursday.
Major E. G. Rathbone submitted
! list of witnesses he desires to have
summoned for the purpose of support
| ing certain of his charges filed against
| Wood
Bandmaster Dead.
| New York. Dec. 1.-Hcward Courtenay
LoWrie. 66 years of age, an accomplished