The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1918-06-19
WHY GENERAL WOOD WAS
NOT ADVANCED IN POSITION
(From Christian Science Monitor)

The following article, direct from
the Washington Bureau to the pub
LEGATION printing it, offers an inter
esting and plausible solution of the
much-discussed question as to why
General Wood has been omitted from
overseas service plans. The Ga
zette reprints it entire:
Because of the publicity that has
been given to the assignment of Gen.
eral Wood to the Department Of the
West on the eve Of his intended de-
parture for France in command Of
the eighty-ninth division, which he
organized and trained, and because
of the vain speculation throughout
the country resulting from this in
cident, friends of the Administration
feel that the President has an ex-
tremely dicf6ult situation to handle,
for it is one fraught with angles
that extend to many parts of the
army organization.
The President is. plainly embar-
raised by the situation created by
General Pershing's omission of the
name of General Wood from the list
of division commanders. To those
familiar with the affair it is obvious
that General Pershing knew the po-
sition the President would be placed
in by the recommendation sent from
France, and now the President has to
face the settlement of an affair that
should never have been brought to
him.
1t is now understood that General
Wood will be given command that
will be quite satisfactory to him I'M
der all circumstances, but whether
that command will be over an expe-
dition to Italy or over a training di-
vision does not yet appear.
In the absence of any explanation
from the White House or the War
Department, any public mention Of
the Wood case has necessarily been
speculation, and therefore worse than
futile and unsatisfactory. But to tell
the truth about this assignment, in
wolves plain speaking and measure
of candor not usually allowed the
recorder of daily events.
1t is a matter Of public record that
when General Pershing was given
command of the forces in France
from this country he was assured a
Tree udIlu L lie 1dSC ID Wen uIloOA
stood among General Staff officers
that the list Of major generals who
are to command divisions sent to
France was prepared by General
Pershing. The name of General
| Wood does not appear on this list
The difficulty confronting the White
House and War Department thus be-
comes manifest. General Woods
name cannot be placed on the list
without depriving General Pershing
of that free hand he has been prom
ised From a source quite reliable
this bureau is informed that the
problem probably will be solved by
assigning General Wood to an cative
command, possibly to an expedition
that may be organized in the future
for service in Italy. The problem Of
the generals disposal was discussed
by him and the President on Tuesday
evening, but no explanation Of the
conference has been given out.
To give satisfactory explanation
of the reason why General Woods
name does not appear on Genera
Pershing's list involves the laying
open of an extraordinary situation
and it must be Stated plainly, ane
with no disrespect for the General ir
command of the United States forces
in France. In other words, the truth
must be told or nothing must be sale
at all. General Wood was the rank
ling major-general of the army, anc