The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-17
RUNUyE AVID WOOD.


~ Qvs,1ty u sho gsse Recognizes ~
Repubgioaus and DennOersW.
Fyon Ne Nov Pork Tribune.
The editorial published by TIE SON puts
in moro circurnstantial and detailed form,
than thew have ever before had the charges
respecting the relations Of Gen. Leonard
Wood and Major James E. Runcie' wnion
we're brought to public attention some time
ago by the New York Evening Post under
what proved to be mistaken idea OF the
facts at It's command. TUE SUNS oher 10
produce documentary evidence to sustain
Its serious charges challenges attention ana
clearly cannot be left to rest where It 49,
From the Bufolo Commercial.
How Gen. Wood as . man Of honor, ana
especially as an officer OF the United states
Army, can longer avoid demanding On In
vestigstion Of the charges made by ihf
Sun, Ia regard to Woods relations win
Major Rlncie, Is not clear. These staee-
nents are made apparently upon very
strong facts; II this is untrue, then "ooo
owes It to himself and to the army to con-
flute them.
From the Rochester Union and Advertiser.
THE SUN has at last made definite state
ment Of its reasons for believing that deh'
Leonard Wood, while acting as. Military
Governor of Cuba, instigated the attack
made upon Major Gen. Brooke, his superior
officer, In an article written by Major James
T.. Runcie and printed in the North Anre7'can
Rep1er, Gen. Brooke demanded the court
martialling OF Major Runcie, but the war
Department referred the matter to Gen.
Wood, who made an explanation whlch
seems to have had the effect Of causing the
matter to be dropped. The SUNS state
nent concerning that explanation Is inter-
estine, as are also its statements concerning
the origin of the article attacking "en'
Brooke.
We have been disposed to regard IHE
Suns attacks upon Gen. Wood with sus-
picion. 1t has shown bitterness whloh
suggested something beyond desire 70
make the truth known for the truths sake
But If that paper can prove what 1t processes
to be able to prove it Is in position to make
out a serious case against Gen. Wood we
believe, as the Now York Tribune does, that
this il "a most serious charge. and tfat
"if Gen. Wood participated IN the huncle
attack and then denied his share IN IT, ne
should be court-martialled. On the other
hand, if Major Runcie does not tell the truth
he should be punished, and il newspaper
is circulating libels about these off,cers II
should be made to suffer. 1t seems clear
that this matter has now reached stage
at which 1t ought to command the atten-
ton Of the War Department once more.
The honor of the army must be preserved.
From the BuTdlo Courier.
1t ia an indication of how distrustful the
country has become Of one of President
Rooseyelt's closest" friends. when the
Buffalo Commercial says: How Gen. Wood
as a man of honor, and especially as an Off
Ger of the United States Army. can longer
avoid demanding an investigation OF the
charges made by THE Sun, in regard TO
Woods relations with Major Runcie, Ia not
clear. These statements are made ap-
parently upon very strong facts.
Gen. Leonard Wood has been immensely
favored by promotion over the heads OF
hundreds Of deserving officers. and the only
discoverable reason for It is that he has been
a pet Of officials in high places. AT various
times criticisms OF a serious nature have
been directed against him. but he has lodged
rather than courted the inquiry It would
seem clean and high minded soldier would
insist upon. The opinion is widespread that
the value of his services has been greatly
overrated by his special patrons. Unpleas-
ant disclosures were made at the close OF his
term a. Military Governor ofCuba, but he
was excused and whitewashed at Washing
ton. The charges by Rathbone before
Wood started for Manila few months age
were from discredited source, to he sure
but we're SO specific, and alleged such dis.
graceful conduct, that once they were pub
is,leo broadcast it would seem an honest man
would not rest before disproving them.
The charges now voiced by THE Sun need
investigation for the honor Of the army,
If for nothing else. 1t might settle any
remaining question whether Gen. Wood IL
a wonder or fakir