The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-10
WILSON SCORES WOOD
HIS PROMOTION FEARFUL
 SHOCK TO DISCIPLINE.
Says the Presidents Pet Was Not at the Battle of San Juan, But Was Looking for
 Ammunition.

Washington, Jan. e.-Tesimony offered in the hearings before the Senate Com fnittee on Military Affairs concerning the nomination of Brigadher General Leonaro Wood to be made major general mas pee" furnished to all the Senators. The document is of S99 printed pages comprising the evidence given by em- ployes of the military government or Cuba, army officers and other witnesses called before the committee for examlna- tion regarding the charges which were filed against General Wood. The testl- mony is being digested by members of the Senate preparatory to the opening or a contest over confirmation of the nomina- tion which promises to become one or the most notable of the Senate.
 The evidence fails to disclose any inn portant testimony having specific bearing on tho charges against General Leonard Wood that has not been published during the hearings. Some of the points for and against General Wood are brought out more clearly than in the reports hereto fore published, but the brief prepared by Senator Foraker for the majority and that prepared by members of the committee who opposed confirmation cover the evil dence fully. Liberal extracts from these briefs have been carried by the Associa ated Press.
 The printed testimony shows that Gen eral James H. Wilson was particularly severe in his criticism of General Wood and while on the stand also criticized President Mckinley for making him a brigadier general. This criticism was
 brought out by the following question from Senator Foraker:
 "You think that President Mckinley made a mistake when he made General Wood"
 Answer: T think he made deadly | mistake
 Q. When he made General Wood | brigadier general?'
 A. When he made that appointment, I believe he gave the greatest shock to the sense of discipline and fairness of the
 American army that it has ever received. | General Wilson further stated that Gen eral Wood was not at the battle of San
 Juan and told the committee that he had
 informed the President, then Governor | of New York. of this fact
 | This evidence was refuted by Secretary
 Root when he went on the stand a few days later. who stated that General Wood
 not only was at the battle of San Juan, but that his division commander had re-
 ported him for conspicuous bravery and
 for handling his troops so we'll that he de-
 sired to recommend hi mfor promotion.
 The Secretary further said that General Wood was at the bloody ford'' in the
 hottest and heaviest fire than our men
 had to endure. when the men were falling
 all around them.
 Continuin, he said: T think ought to
 say. too, that a part of the facts upon
 which President Roosevelt determined so far as was within his powers to keen General Wood in the same order of rela- tive rank where President Mckinley had
 put him. was his personal knowledge of
 General Woods presence in that fight and
 of the extraordinary gallantry and ef-
 1ciency he displayed was known to the
 presldent by his personal observation in
 the battle."
 General Wilson in his testimony also
 recounted conversation that he had had
 Wlth Governor Roosevelt regarding the
 presence of General Wood at San Juan.
 III III thls conversation General Wilson said
 se informed the Governor that in the
 SpatlSh war Wood was never in but one
 oS'tle and that was at Las GuasInnas.
 Mnere but Cor his rescue and support by N'ne eoiored boons he would have been