The New York herald., 1920-01-04
F. R. C0UDERT
GIVES SUPPORT
TO GENERAL WOOD
Prominent Democrats Stand
Is Announced by the Leon
ard Wood League.

Frederic r. Coudert. eminent as an in
ternational lawyer and a lifelong demo-
crat, will support General Leonard Wood
for the Presidency, according to an an
ncuncement made yesterday nv tre '.N'n-
ard Wood League at its headquarters
in the Hotel Imperial. Mr.. to.uI. 100
said to be only one of a large number OF
prominent democrats who had written or
fcers of the league that they would
support General Wood, the appeal OF
whose candidacy to democrats and inde-
pendents will be urged as reason for
his nomination by the Republican party.
In a letter to Colonel William Cooper
Proctor, president of the Wood league,
Mr.. Coudert declared that the country
had become chagrined over the failure
Of the present national administration to
do anything constructive in domestic or
international matters.
Mr.. Coudert said
81 am most earnestly hopeful that Cen
eral Wood may be nominated, not, as you
say, to insure Republican victory but
rather to secure a strong, fearless, capa-
BILE executive at a time OF national and IN
ternational difficulties of an extraordinary
character. The Independent voters OF
America, who, when aroused, are in num-
ber sufficient to hold the balance of pow
er, have become utterly weary OF the
politicians, who seek to use great problems
affecting the vital interests of the nation
rs stepping stones for personal or party
advantage. Never have party ties been
more lightly held yet never has national
feeling been more earnestly aroused than
during the last two years. The nation now
feels the need for leader who will en-
body this sentiment in acts rather than in
words
"Chagriued Mt Failure"
'erhe country is profoundly chagrined at
the failure OF the present administration
to do aught but substitute platitude for
policy, promise for performances; a course
which has lead to the paralysis of govern
lnent at time when the nations of Europe
look to America for guidance and Cooper
alton in reconstructing world shattered
by war.
1.-THE lamentable situation created In
Mexico by such a lack Of elementary fore
sight and firmness such as to render ulti-
mate Intervention seemingly inevitable,
and the inability to deal effectively with
domestic problems has created an ex-
ceptionally serious situation, which must
compel the choice of an@xceptional man.
'At time when a pusillanimous neutral
tty ordered from Washington, benumbed
the public mind General Wood preached
the gospel of preparedness at great risk to
hts own career and inaugurated the train
ing system which made IL possible for the
American army to have a corps of officers
when war came. His life has been spent
in creative, public activity, away from,
political machination and phrase making.
believe there is today no one else who
will make such an appeal to our indepen-
dent voters, whose sole concern is that the
nation be respected abroad and united al
home and that pending problems be met
With firm grasp and fearless mind"
The membership Of the Leonard Wood
League was stated to number more than
ten thousand. Letters containing signed
membership cards, obtained as a result
of country wide decentralization. were said
to be coming in at a rate Of about one
thousand day.
Regarding Ohio Dinner.
Friends of General Wood denied that his
withdrawal OF his acceptance of the invi-
tation to speak at the dinner of the Ohio
Society here Tuesday was not because OF
the failure Of George w. Perkins. presi-
dent of the society, to agree to supper.
General Wood for the nomination, but
merely because General Wood felt that he
could not make political speech While
an officer in the army. General Woods
acceptance was tentative, il was said, and
based on the elief that the topic of dis
quent invitations to Senator Warren G.
Harding and Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler,
both Presidential aspirants. gave the din
ner a political character and made il in
advisable for General Wood to speak.
General Wood will speak at Cambridge
next week at meeting of the Harvard
University Military Training hsgsociation
under the direction of the overscers OF
the university, but the speech will not be
political.
The boom for Governor Henry j. Allen.
OF Kansis, launched by William Allen
White. caused TO uneasincss at the Wood
headquarters. Governor Allen IL vice pres
ident of tho Wood League. The under
standing is that the Kansas delegation
will support General Wood at the con-
veution. il the latter is a leading candi-
date when the convention convenes. Gov
crnor Allen has been put forward as a
candidate, il was caid. in order to place
him in a position where he might be a
possible compromise candidate IL there
should be a deadlock. There also was
the possibility, IL was said. that Governo.
Allen might be nominated for Vice Prcsi-
dent.