New-York tribune., 1918-06-02
General "Saved" for Emer-
gency Duty Is View of
Army Men
Border Raid Feared
Leader of Highest Ability
Would Be Needed; Siberia
Another Problem
(Specid( Dispatch to The Trihnnel

NcpeCNt IftSpGCCh to The TrtbNne)
WASHINGTON, June 1.-Major Cen
eral Leonard Wood is being held in
this country in order that he may be
Immediately available for the post of
commander in chief of the American
forces on the Mexican border or be
sent as supreme commander of Ameri-
can troops in Russia should an expedi-
tionary force be decided upon.
This view was advanced to-day in
army circles as the real reason for the
Presidents action in relieving Wood
OF command of his division on the eve
OF bis departure for France. Unwilling
to believe that General Pershing re-
quested that Wood be not sent to
France and reluctant to accept the ap-
parent shelving of Wood as dcliber-
ate act of the Administration, army
men declared the menacing conditions
on the Mexican border may at any
time demand a general officer of great
tact and competent military knowledge
as the American leader.
May Go to Russia
The situation in Russia, as viewed by
army men, likewise may suddenly de-
mand the sending of an expeditionary
force in command of an officer whose
past experience In handling delicate
questions is proven. They pointed to
Woods experiences in the Philippines
and in Cuba as arguments in favor Of
his selection to lead any American
force that might be necessary to CO.
operate with Japan and China in the
Far East.
Conditions in Mexico, both political
and military, are giving the govern
ment more concern than officials care to
admit. Army officers insist there is
danger of a resumption of raids that
will force another American expedition
across the Rio Grande, and while this
step is not now contemplated, it is be-
lleved that German propagandists may
yet succeed in their shrewd endeavors
to persuade the Mexican military chiefs
to make a demonstration that will call
for determined action by the United
States.
Intervention a Possibility
Referring to the prospective need of
American Participation in Siberia, army
officials declared Japan needed no ad-
ditional strength Of arms, but they
pointed to the moral effect the pres
ence of American troops might have on
Russians who have not yet subscribed
to the so-called peace offered by Ger
many. 1t was freely predicted that
Russians not in sympathy with the ele-
ment that believes in German sincerity
would welcome an opportunity of join
ing arms with Americans.
The transportation of troops on the
Pacific Coast and in the Philippines
to the Far East could be accomplished
without difficulty, army men declared,
but the real problem was to have avail
able a general officer, whose proven
ability would make him an ideal choice
to handle without interference or sug-
gestion from Washington any military
situation that might arise in Siberia.
General Wood, they maintained, is such
an officer.
1t was recalled to-day that the view
of army men, as far as the Russian
and Mexican command was concerned,
provided the good military reason"
advanced by Cabinet officer for
Woods retention in this country and
the War Departments refusal at this
time to permit him to accompany his
division to France