Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-22

were held up by the Senate committee and refused
frmation.
At this point an element of luck contributed to the
advancement of Wood although his brains and energy
had placed him at the apex Of situation where the
machine could not without pushing him forward
President Mckinley sent for member of the Senate
Military Committee and explained the situation. The
volunteer Major Generals and Bngadier Generals
soon to be mustered out because they could not be
retained under the law General Wood must then fall
back the rank of Captain and would not do to have
of such low rank at the head of affairs in Cuba;
in fact, it impossible, there several reg
ments of troops in the island and score of officers of
higher rank.
President Mckinley also explained that General
Wood could not be replaced. He understood Cuba and
the Cubans better than all others. Moreover, he
then engaged doing for Havana what he had done for
Santiago, cleaning the city and making it habitable.
The Senator returned to the Capitol and gave the
information to his fellow Senators, and Wood con-
frmed. Grant and Bell went through with him. and
both now Major Generals.
General Wood did not get his next step without a
dent when Wood reached the head of the list of Bnga
der Generals. Mr. Roosevelt was more than pleased
delighted in fact-to promote his old crony to be Major
General A fight on Woods confirmation was started
by the late Senator Hanna and after his death, was
carried by Senator Scott of West Virginia as
matter of loyalty old friend who had passed
the border. Strangely in view of their subsequent
relations the fight for Wood. and on Roosevets
account in charge Of Senator Foraker.
"A e. W.
posts in Cuba, had become badly involved. Hanna
believed in Rathbones innocence and blamed General
Wood for his downfall.
A long investigation followed. Many charges were
made against General Wood, and his integrity
assaed 1t was while the under consideration
that the celebrated Cuban game ai aai exploited.
that the company promoting it had received favors
from General Wood, and that such favors had been
recognized in way not to be approved among army
officers
In the end Wood was confirmed; but although he
won it not without few And all the pres
fn x M % ne on 1hH % was
after this success that the How did we ever do
it?" story vented.
At that time there was still higher military rank,
that of Lieutenant General Since the Civil War the
grade has been created twice. once for General Schofed
and again for General Miles When the army was re-
organized with General Staff, the grade of Lieutenant
General was made permanent. Five officers who had
gained more less distinction in the Spanish War
had been given the higher rank and all but
place, and if he should get it he would hold the i'm
portant rank longer than any in the military
service But there was feeling in Congress that too
much had been done for Leonard Wood, and para
graph inserted in army appropriation bill
abolishng the grade of Lieutenant General upon the
retirement of the officer then holding the position
One can imagine that Mr.. Roosevelt did not sign that
bill with very good grace; for it meant that his favote
in the army would reach the coveted place. He
knew, however that the temper of Congress would not
change and that the abolition of the grade was in
evitabe. In fact, many Senators voted for the
frmation of General Wood with great reluctance and
with the emphatic statement that they would never
consent to his further advancement.
Probably officer in the army has ever had more
influential friends or implacable enemies; but in
spite of the controversy that his unprecedented adj
vancement created, it must be acknowledged that
soldier we'll administrator General Wood has
made good. He was in command in fight against the
natives in the Philippines where he won the admiration
of many officers who had often sneered at the doctor
warrior" and political soldier" Now he is Chief of
Staff and head of the army.
Enter Another Doctor