The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-04
GENERAL WOOD

Continued from First Page)
such a tendency have reached me-"
In advance of the receipt OF General
Woods formal report Secretary Gar
rtson prefers not to indicate his atti-
tude toward the matter Bishop Greer's
telegram to Secretary Garrison fol-
lows:
Bishops Protest.
ION behalf OF the American League
to Limit Armaments. and all those
who believe In the civil administration
of government. we protest against tho
activities of the officers OF the army
of the United States In organizing
civilians and attempting to- influence
public opinion In regard to the mill
tary forces of the country. We con-
ceive That Ii In the duty OF Congress.
and not Of the army. to determine
how much. and to what extent. the
military forces of the country shall
be used or increased. or decreased,
and we submit that the activity OF
General Leonard Wood. commanding
the Department OF the East and of his
aide. Captain Gordon Johnston. and
of the other officers OF tsle army. and
the issuing from recognized army
headquarters of such propaganda ~
that Of the American Legion. liz sub
versive " the interests % democracy
and in violation of the policy and
tradition of the United States Of
America"
Demands Retraction.
To this General wood replied:
Bishop Greer's telegram to You
and to the president. published In
New York Evening Post. Just brought
to my attention. l Immediately called
Greer up and asked him his author
tty. and ne replied the press only.
informed him that his statements
that the propaganda had been issued
from these headquarters IL untrue.
and demanded that he correct n and
he promised to do So A more
audacious m!s-statement. made with
out Inquiries or Investigation. has
seldom come to my attention, and
have so informed him. the bishop
In his letter to the chief OF stan.
General Wood says:
mo one at these headquarters has
or has had, any official connection
with the American Legion so-cailed.
Of which ! sent you the details In my
letter OF February 81. inclosing with
it the circular In regard to II. You
will find on inquiry that Mr.. Roose-
welt was ask ed to Join at the time
former Secretaries of War Wright.
Stimson and Dickinson, were asked
also former Secretary Meyer, OF the
navy, and Others / believe that ..
number OF. them have joined.
"Mr. Roosevelt has never commu-
nicated with me concerning II d.
rectly or indirectly. My connection
Ia limited wholly to an interview. one
or two weeks ago, with two gentle
men who were the founders OF the
movement one former officer or
volunteers in the army. and the other
an editor OF one of the RfdgewAy
magazines. Their idea was to build
up throughout the country a list Of
men who had qualifications or train
ing to make them useful In military
way in case a reserve should be es-
tablished under legislative enactment.
which would make reserve pos
sible. or in case a reserve should not
be established to have a list which.
in case Of necessity, would be nse-
full to the Government. as 1t would
give the addresses. names and quail.
fications OF a large number OF men.
No Connection With Army.
ut has no connection with the
army up to the present time. other
than as I have indicated to YOU.
Johnston's activities In connection
with II have been purely unofhciAl.
He simply aided them with sugges-
tions concerning their list OF special
qualifications, and talked. the mater
OF organization over with them