New-York tribune., 1919-12-21
Intention to Keep Out of
Campaign Until After
Convention Changed by
His Political Advisers
Desire Him Free
To Discuss Issues
Experience of MIR. Hughes
Is Regarded as Indicat-
ing Wisdom of Course
By Theodore M. Knappen
NeW York Tribune
ashi;s0ton Bureau

NeW York Tribune
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.-Aban-
doning his first intention Of remain
ng in the army until after the Re
publican National Convention, Gen
eral Leonard Wood now intends to
1ender his resignation not later than
larch /, and possibly earlier. This
Information comes directly from one
# the authoritative leaders of the
Wood candidacy for the Presidency,
md is made public by permission.
In this decision as we'll as in the
:ormer one, General Wood is gov
rned by his political advisers. At
lrst there was a preponderance Of
ldgment among them that the gen
sral should remain in the army until
ter the convention, and then, if
omlnated, resign. Later the weight
I counsel has been swinging toward
ne contrary decision and it virtual
= has been decided that the general
aall resign about March /.
One Of the reasons why the general
nself wished to remain in the army
til the convention is the well-known
ct that he is virtually without means
.tside OF his salary as a major gen
al, which amounts TO about $4,000.
fhis embarrassment has been re-
owed by acceptance of an offer rom
newspaper of national influence to
;dblish daily editorial letter from
General Wood, just as the Phlladel lphia
Public Ledger now features former
President Taft and as the Kansas City
Star" did Theodore Roosevelt for
some months preceding his death.
The name Of the newspaper is not pro-
cnrable, but it is understood that the
offer came as piece of pure journal
site enterprise and that General Wood
IS not behoiden for it to any politi-
oian or group of politicians. He is
now monthly contributor to the
Metropolitan Magazine,'. just as
Roosevelt was before him.
Hughes Experience Factor
The reversal was based on the belief
that the precedent set by Charles +.
Hughes in staying on the Supreme
be followed. Judge Hughes had a long
political record and a high and we'll
'rshlished place in the party. His
views on public questions were we'll
known and his career was repletc with
political achievements He did not
need to appear before the peoplc-and
did not
General Woods position is fully as
delicate as Judge Hughes's was. An
army officer is supposed to be as re-
mote from and as Indifferent to party
politics as a Supreme Court Judge, and
lurther is subject to the risk of being
d,isclpined for any utterances that may
oe construed by headquarters as un-
becoming an officer 1t would be i'm
proper for the general to discuss any
SuoJecs In partisan way. He could
"o' address a political gathering under
any circumstances and would have to
"No,d saying 0r doing anything that
Oouio De construed as criticism Of his
.o'N"ahder IN chief, the President, and
'ne present Administration. In these
circumstances he would not be able to
n N,e the country clear impression
MS views on the problems of the day
nor indicate what his own policy
would be.
GENERALS Personality Strong
-. uenerai Woods supporters are con-
,,I .Ihceo that to exert the maximum
puii of which his personality is
capable II" should be free and untram-
meicd by external control. They con-
s'aer that the generals sound common
:ense and his busincsslike way Of deal
iins with all subjects that come before
nm II given free play, Will convince
sne people, even more than his record
as as colonial and army administrators
~ .ha' ne IS the man for the times. They
LINK, y; also, that if the general divests
".;m OF his military connection it
m.M 'end to Offset any prejudice there
may oe against him as a product of
s'hing approaching militarism
minority Of General Woods conf
.en.'al advisers still cling to the idea
sna, ne would be wiser TO stay in the
'fmv and let his record speak for it
Ssu' and II may be that thev will yct
S|ccced IN having their way. Just why
,,,fe reslgnasson is to be PUT off until
.,sFcp ] or thercabouts is not ex-
p''hed, hu. i is suggested that ,he
"S"' ~ two months WI! show pretty
..eariy whether General Wood is the
u choice of the rank and file
~ ~ tne party, as his friends hold, and
W NE deferment of the resignation until
"arch ! may have been the result Of
~ compromise between conflicting coun-