Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-05-17
IulIinn the (;atT

II HERE is IL phase OF the Bcrgdoll case.
NOW being aired before a committee OF
the House. that ought not To escape public
notice. 1t involves the official conduct OF
the late Secretary OF War. Newton D. Baker,
with regard to this celebrated episode of
the war. and his hclatcd vindiCation before
public tribunal OF acts. for which he was
ut no time responsible and yet for which
he was ccnsurcd from end To end Of the
country.
Adjutant- General harris more than Il
year after the escape OF the daring draft
dodgcr has declared without cQuiyocation
that he alone was responsible for the order
which WAS issued by the War department.
authorizing the search by Bergdol for the
hidden treasure, which probably never cN-
listed Every enemy OF the Wilson admins
tration charged that order to the Secretary
Of War. He was criticized and abused with
ont mercy for having boon duped by Berg
doll ana the lattcr's counsel. He was scored
on the floor Of Congress and was denounced
IN the press. No incident OF his whole Of
ncial career brought upon his head more
violent storm.
Yet this man kept his peace. Not even
when the double charge was registered
against him tina, he had allowed the aged
Judge Wcstcott. a friend OF President VIII
SON to influence him contrary to law and
good judgment was the secretary moved 10
break his silence. With a word he might
have cX0ncratcd himself. lie might have
stated that the order had not proceeded
from him. and that he was in total igno-
rance OF it until Ncrgdol's escape had come
To his attention.
But Newton Baker did not care 10 shift
responsibility for such blundcr upon the
shoulders OF others The blundcr was com
D., S,thh and a.
iclt morally bound TO assume whatever
Cdmm that might attach to that action. lie,
therefore, went out OF Office. carrying the
burden of anothors mans sins. Happily,
however, the truth Is now known 10 tho
country For this the American people are
indebted to the leaders OF Il Republican
House OF Representatives. as they are in
dcbtcd for the truth about the strange con
duet OF former udgc-Advocato-Ge General
Anseli, whom Mr. Baker found ii necessary
TO relieve OF his duties.
The nation cannot fail to do honor 10 MIR.
Gakcr in the Bcrgdoll ease amy more Ihan
il can fail to honor him for his attitude in
the Leonard Wood case. 1t is easy to recall
Tho violence With which Air Baker was as
sailed for having relieved General Wood OF
his command, as the lattcr's division was
about 10 sail for France Moods cncr-
fc,ic friends sought then ana thereafter to
lay all the blame for this action upon rresi-
dent Wilson and The Secretary OF War. 1t
was move ii was charged to deprive an
officer Of field service as time whom that
officer might become a formidable candidate
for the presidency
But the truth i'll the Wood matter was not
"a. long concealed as in tile instance OF Berg
doll. II very soon developed that General
wood was barred from service in France
BECAUSE General Pcrshing had vetoed him.
and because the War Department refused
a. override the comnandcr-iu-chicf in any
matter of personnel. Even SO, MIR Baker
bore tho brunt OF all tho criticism at the
time. .Hd bore it uncomplainiugly He might
have mad" public General pvrshins's OBJ
i,..ious to Wood ana have ended the con
lro,"rsy then ANA there. hut he Loyalty as
aumed all responsibility Tor the Wood
oracr.