The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-29
WOOD IS SHELvED
Camp FunStOn's Ex.COmman.
der in Middle.
May Be Sent to Command in
Italy Yet.
PERSHING IS AGAINST HIM?
Wishes of Leader in France
Must Be Respected.
Case of General Bell Cited as
Similar.

Washington, May 29.-Maj. Gen.
Leonard Wood. shunted aside from
the command of his division, the
Eighty-ninth, and relegated to the
not specially desirable western depart
ment command, will probably be re-
ordered to more active service.
Following his conference with Presi-
dent Wilson, sthere was a report to-
day he would be assigned to COM
mand American troops in Italy. II
appears certain he Will not be placed
where there would be danger OF 4
clash between him and General PERISH
ing. Army officers said today Wood
aroused Pershing's displeasure by ar
ranging for a personal -eview of Ital-
ian troops before consulting Pershing
Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood was re-
moved from command of his division
and relegated to command of the
Western department upon recon-
mendation of General Pershing, it
was learned on reliable authority to-
day.
1t was stated fatty that the only
hand the administration had in the
matter was accepting the recon-
mendation of Pershing, upon whom
this country is now relying TO win
Americas share of victory in the war.
Asked for More Action.
Washington. May 2s.-Maj Gen.
Leonard Wood. spent half an hour at
the White House last night, in con-
ference with President Wilson. The
cail was arranged at the officers re-
quest by Secretary Baker, No state
ment on the subject was made either
at the White House or by General
Wood. but the generals friends say he
wanted to tell the president in person
that as senior officer of the regular
"a n hoA r,,lx
to the best of his ability in whatso-
ever post he was assigned to fill. To
"A large group of Newspaper correspon-
dents who greeted him as he left the
White House, General Wood would
only say that he was soldier and
would obey any orders given him.
Secretary Baker confirmed the re-
port that he had asked for a more ac-
tive assignment than the command
of the western department. This re-
guest has been referred to General
March, chief of staff. Mr.. Baker re-
fused to make any statement concern
ing the detachment of General Wood,
beyond pointing out that other Off
GERS of high rank, including Major
General Bell, second only to General
Wood on the regular army rank, had
been similarly detached without ex-
PLANTATION after successfully passing
the overseas physical examination.
Case Like That OF Bell.
The reference to General Bell at
tracted attention because it has been
generally understood that General
Bell did not go to France because his
name did not appear on General
Pershing's list of divisional command
ers who would be acceptable to him.
In this connection. it was suggested
that the war department had not given
General Wood notice earlier that he
would not be permitted to go over
with his division until the last moment
because of a desire to give General
Pershing every opportunity to for
ward his name as among those ac-
ceptable for service at the front.
Army opinion, apparently is unan-
imous that the expeditionary COM
mander must be given unquestioning
support and confidence so long as he
is retained as commander in chief of
the American forces in France 1t has