The sun., 1903-12-09
IL Gen. Wood to BE 3" Whitewashed" ~?


AS wesaid few days ago, it is of high
Importance to Gen. WooD, as well as to
the country, that there should be such an
investigation of the charges against him
as would convince the general public
either that he was innocent or that he
was guilty. A declaration by the Military
Committee that the charges were, as Sec
rotary RooT declared last March, with
out lust foundations" would in the face
of that which has been given to the pub
lie, leave very great number of our
people with conviction that Gen. WooD
had been "whitewashed" as a result Of
Administration influence.
While the examination now going on
is presumably a secret proceeding in
formation is certainly furnished from
some source. This information, being
of a semi-illicit nature, must at all times
be open to suspicion on the point OF its
accuracy, although it is known that not
little of it has been, in general, quite
accurate. Nevertheless, doubt remains,
and suspicion always attaches to secret
proceedings on matters in which the
publicis actively concerned This method
of investigating may be in the interest
of Gen WooD, but it is certainly not to
his advantage. Nor can it be rightly
regarded as in his best interest. Recti-
tutle Has no fear of any searchlights, If
Gen. Woop's course and career have been
blamelcss and honorable that fact Is
certainly susceptible of full demonstra-
ton. and neither he nor his friends should
fear the fullest publicity. The least that
can now be done is to give the public an
opportunity to review the testimony be-
forr final action is taken in the matter
So far as the witnesses are concerned,
Jlp to this time, all agree that they have
encountered hostile atmosphere in the
committee room 1t has been openly
declared that Senator FORAKER, a shrewd
and able lawyer, is conducting the case
for the Administration. His attitude is
that Of an advocate rather than judge.
II may be said that a feeling that the case
has been prejudged by majority of the
committee is the principal ground upon
which, the opponents Of Gen. WOOD have
declared their intention to make their
strongest fight on the floor of the Senate,
in executive session if they must, in open
session if they can.
tbs of interest to note that, thus far,
no sound or valid argument has been
advanced in support Of Gen. WOODS
confirmation. Little or nothing has been
urged in favor of his promotion beyond
the facts that:
He has been appointed by the Presi-
dent.
He is the senior Brigadier.
His rejection would be seriously in
furious to long line of officers whose
advance is now blocked by delay in
the case OF Gen. WooD.
The point of promotion because Of
seniority is entirely untenable Seniority
promotion in the case of General officers
is not an invariable custom and is not
necessary or imperative under the law.
Paragraph 81 of the Army Regulations
declares that Appointment to the grade
of General officer is made by selection
from the army" Under the rules, a
Second Lieutenant may be jumped to a
Major Generaicy.
Facts one and three find an interest
ing commentary in this extract from the
Presidents recent message:
The only people who are contentcd with a sys-
lem Of promotion by mere seniority are those who
are contented with the triumph Of medIocri,y over
excellence. On the other hand. system which
encourag ed the exercise of social political favort
ism In promotions would be even worse"
1t is no secret that the President 3
appointment of Gen. WOOD for the pres
ent promotion is due in no small measure
to his personal interest in that officer.
Would Mr.. ROOSEVELT go so far as to
assert that the promotion of Gen. WOOD
is a triumph of excellence over medioc-
rity? II so, Heaven send us aid in a
time Of war!
Much force has been given to the ar
g,lment of injury to other officers by
delay in their confirmation. This is a
far-feA ched argument. No injury is at
all necessary and were such to follow
it is readily remediable as an act of JUS
tice. But the point has been we'll played
by the supporters of Gen. WooD for the
purpose of arousing the active self
interest of these officers to bring into
ray all influence which they may pos
rnss to secure tho confirmation of Gen,
WooD in order that their places may be
made. secure. Over their heads there
has been suspended belief that their
fate depended upon the fate of Gen.
WooD This is not the fact. They
could he at once confirmed and Gen.
N'oop be held in suspense pending the
determination of the charges preferred
against him. Or, they may all be held
in suspense, under their recess appoint
ments, until next month, when the re-
tireulent OF Gen. YoUNG and the pro-
motion of Gen. CHAFFEE will create
another vacancy, to which Gen, Kobe
might well be promoted and the sus-
pended officers follow in the line of his
promotion instead of that of Gen. WOOD.
A feeling prevails in Washington, in
both political and army circles, that
the whole question h S now reached a
point where the opponents of Gen. WOOD
tn ha raro rJa1 ba ,npopaptS pf