New-York tribune., 1920-01-04
Coudert Backs
General Wood
ForPresident
Country Is Chagrined Over
Platitudes for Policy and
Observation-Disclosures
byAdministration, He Says

Frederic r. Coudert, international
lawyer and independent Democrat, is
out with declaration in favor Of Gen.
eral Leonard Wood for President. In
a letter to Colonel William. C. Proctor,
president of the Leonard Wood League,
he says that the country is profoundly
chagrined at the failure of the present
Administration to do aught but substi-
tute platitude for policy, promise foz
performance, and he wants a capable
Executive. The letter follows:
~ have your letter Of the 18th in
regard to the nomination of General
Wood, and would say in reply that
eral Wood may be nominated, not, as
you say, ito insure Republican vic
tory but rather to secure a strong,
fearless, capable Executive at time
Of national and international diff
culties Of an extraordinary character.
The Independent voters Of America,
who, when aroused, are in number
sufficient to hold the balance of
power, have become utterly weary Of
the politicians, who seek to use great
problems affecting the vital interests
Of the nation as 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 ma
ton now feels the need for leader
who will embody this sentiment in
acts rather than in words.
Mexican Situation Deplored
"The country is profoundly cha
grined at the failure of the present
Administration to do aught but sub
stitute platitude for policy, promise
for performance--a course which has
led to the paralysis Of government at
a time when the nations Of Europe
look to America for guidance and CO.
operation in reconstructing world
shattered by war
"The lamentable situation created
in Mexico by such lack of ele-
mentary foresight and tirmness as
to render ultimate intervention SEEM
ingly inevitable, and the inability to
deal effectively with domestic prob
lens, has created an exceptionally
serious situation, which must compel
the choice Of an exceptional man.
cat time when pusillanimous
neutrality, ordered from Washing
ton, benumbcd the public mind. Gen
erai Wood preached the gospel of
preparedness at great risk to his own
career and inaugurated the training
system which made it 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 lnachlna.
tion and phrase making. | believe
there is to-day no one else who will
make such an appeal to our inde-
pendent voters, whose sole concern
is that the nation be respected abroad
and united ut home, and that pend
ing problems be met with flrm grasp
and fearless mind"
Wood League Activity
Colonel Proctor, in discussing the &C
tivjtieg and scopc OF the General Woo
League, said.
For the last two weeks intensive
work has been in progress through th'
sending out Of circular letter int
practically every state IN the Unioi
except tbose in the extreme South, ant
those in which fayorite son candidate
have been formally announced.
"The letter rccited that great mum
Der OF mcn and women representing
all sections Of the United States be
lieyed that the nonjuation Of Lconart
Wood fer the Presidency would insure
Republican victory in 1920, and ther
added:
His thoroughly tasted American
inm. his demonstrated ability ~ a.,
adtn'nistratcr, his strong personality
ifs courage In npho,ding law and order
and the seundncsz ~ his principles ii
al matters relating 10 national we!
fare, combine TO afford convincing
evidence Of his desirnbiJfty.'
With eaeh letter WIS inclosed
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