New-York tribune., 1907-06-09
AYRES MENTIONS WOOD.
Warned That Friendship Would
Cost Commission, He Says.

West Point. n. Y, June s-Warnings that his
friendship for General Leonard Wood would cost
him his commission in the United States army have
been received repeatedly by Lieutenant Colonel
Charles G. Ayres according to a statement which
he made public to-day In defending his wife, Mrs.
Elizabeth F. Ayres. from criticism by officers Of
the Military Academy and supporting her suit to
recover 100000 in damages from those officers.
Lieutenant Colonel Ayres said that he had been
tried many charges and that he had been told
many times that part OF the anmosity toward him
had been caused by his friendship for General
Wood. That officer himself, Lieutenant Colonel
Ayres said had for years warned him frequently
TO be careful. The lieutenant colonel said that he
regarded General Wood one of the ablest men
in the country, and that he OF the few
officers who went General Woods camp to con-
gratulate him when he promoted from colonel
to brigadier general Ayres one of the officers
on General Wood firing line at Santiago
Lieutenant Colonel Ayres further declared that
the charge that the influence Of women at West
Point detrimental to the cadets or the academy
due to jealousy, and that the criticism of Mrs
Ayres tissue of falsehood by officers OF tina
army anxious to hurt Mrs. Ayres. Lieutenant
Colonel Ayres said that 10 attempt to settle the
matter by appeal to military court would be sui
Cidal as his experience had convinced him that
military Investigations were a farce and had been
used for years 10 destroy an officers
record.
In the of his statement Lieutenant Colonel
Ayres alluded to the action taken by the Secretary
of War the result of the conflict between Mrs.
Ayres and the officers of the academy. which ac-
tion. he said, excluded Mrs. Ayres from the acad-
emy In making his statement Lieutenant Colonel
Ayres said he deeply regretted the present situa-
tion as he greatly attached to the academy.
As to the treatment of his son, Henry F. Ayres.
a cadet at the academy. by the commanding off-
GERS he said that Mrs Ayres was first told more
than year ago by officers and cadets that her son
being singled out for persecution; The son.
lie said, had never mentioned this SUBJECT 10 ms
parents, but had accepted his punishment, DuI
other cadets We're not punished as he had been Tor
been recommended three times TO receive a medal
formed Lieutenant Colonel Ayres OF MS sons ga'-
lantry and calmness; ,.,., 49,. ,,. lie.
had appealed to the AUTHORITIES ior pr9tecuon, Sd
tried, IN the absence OF her husband, 70 detehd e
result was he said. a cowardy attack on her ana and
spite against a and woman who never In
tentionally wronged human being and against a
he said, was first made on Mrs. Ayres. and
given to the newspapers by those IN authority aI
West Point The upshot or Mrs Ayress appeal
to the authorities FOR protection. he ADDED vas
The action Of the Secretary Of War, he added;
Stephen c, Mills, who was sent 10 the academy
to lnyestiSate the charges an4 nort s
tenant Colonel AyTes said would be con composed OF
he 9oer deea[ed that colone! Mills would be
der and compelled to prove his statements.
Washington. June s-The interview with Lieu
tenant Colonel Charles c.. Ayres 14th Cavalry, IN
which he is represented 10 have talked in strong
disparakement OF army courts and ascribed ques-
tionable motives 20 army officers In connection
with the trouble that has arisen between Mrs.
Ayrcs and the officers at the Military Academy.
was received at the War Department with sur
prise. Colonel Scott. the commandant at the acad-
erny. was at the department to-day. but he, Ike
all of the other officers and officials. declined 20
make any comment the charges OF Colonel
Ayres 1t plainly TO be seen, however that
some official action Is contemplated. and that As
a preliminary the officer will be called 10 state
whether or not the published interview correctly
sets out his statements.
Il is understood that a misspprehenson exists
In the public mind 10 the steps taken by the
War Department relieve the friction that has
been caused at the academy by the collision be
Z tween Mrs. Ayres and some ot the officers sta
toned there Secretary Taft himself. who adopted
and ndorssd the recommendation Of the General
stan In the matter. well as all OF the officials
concerned. declines 10 publish that action There
is reason, however. 10 believe that it was less
I