The Irish standard., 1914-04-11

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
R special Correspondence for Irish
Standard.
" Cardinal Gibbons Depl0res Attention
n to Dress.
Cardinal Glib ons, while in the ma
Y tional capital last week, when re-
Ssquested for an expression of his
n views on the modern tendency to
make of Easter day for personal
& display. said:'
Fs95 Easter should be a day of spir-
/. ituaf Joy, day for the celebration OF
4 the resurrection of the spirit, a day
In which spiritual considerations
q should be more prominent. Any sec
ular or civil activities that interfere
y with the true spiritual observance of
the day should be discouraged. l
would include in such activities the
tendency to over emphasize fashions
I have noted that tendency, and l
feel that it should be seriously dis
couraged."
Departure of General Wood.
In the constant system or practice
of ever changing station, for officers
of the army or navy, no officer has
left Washington whose departure will
cause more genuine regret, and car
ry with him the good wishes of those
who knew him, than Major General
Leonard Wood, the ranking officer of
the United States army.
y, During his term of office he has
shown unfailing courtesy to repre-
sentatives of all the various churches
and never manifested the slightest
tendency towards narrow sectarian
bigotry. Catholics and Protestants
alike could always appeal to General
Wood, and be assured of fair hear
ing and impartial decision. Especial
ly has this been true in the appoint
ment and assignment of Chaplains,
and matters in which the affairs of
the Catholic church were at issue.
No officer of the army has a ca
reer where advancement has been
more rapid. Born in New Hamp-
shire and appointed from Massachu-
sets. he entered the army as an ad-
jutant surgeon during Cleveland's
first administration, and five years
late found him a captain and an as
sistant surgeon.
With the outbreak of the war with
Spain he became the first colonel of
the first U. S. Volunteer Cavalry
Trough Riders), and soon after was
made brigadier and then major
general of volunteers. 1t is notice
able that he never passed through
the grades or rank of major, lieuten-
ant colonel, or colonel in the regu-
lar army.
On the creation of the general
star on Aug. 8, 1908. he was ap-
pointed major general in the per-
manent establishment. or regular
army, which rank he has held since.
He was appointed chief of staff on
April %, 1910. and is, therefore, re-
lieved from that duty after four
years detail.
General Wood has medal of hon
or Zone of the coveted prizes of all
military men) authorized by con-
gress for particular deeds of most
distinguished gallantry in action. He
has degrees conferred upon him by
Harvard and William colleges, and
University of Pennsylvania.
During his term of office he has
accomplished great things for the
army, as he is man of extraordi-
nary executive ability, and it was this
trait in him that first attracted the
attention of President Roosevelt,
through whom he was promoted, and
later made chief of staff by President
Taft.
General Wood will not retire for
age until Oct. 9, 1924. His new sta
ton will be at Governors Island,
New York harbor, in the Eastern De-
partment. succeeding Major General
Thomas H. Barry, who assumes COM
mand of the Philippine Department
with headquarters at Manila.
General Wood leaves the war de-
partment with expressions of regret
from all who knew him, and who
wish him continued success In his
new duty.
Accompanying Cardinal to Rome.
s. Monsignor Thomas J. Shahan, rec
tor of the Catholic University of
America. will accompany His Emil
nence, Cardinal Gibbons, on his visit
to Rome.
Widows and Orphans Aided.
The House last week passed the
Key bill, providing for pensions for
widows and orphans of men who
served in the Spanish war, the Phil
ippine campaign or the Boxer upris-
ing in China. The vote which passed
the measure was 276 to 64-not one
republican voting against the bill.
s If the bill passes the senate (Which
is predicted) and signed by the
president. the government will be