New-York tribune., 1921-01-21
MrMpEn or TTr Assoc7Arrp rNxss
A Wilson Inheritance

A correspondent of The Tribune
asks who and what are behind the
hidden and determined opposition to
any sort of recognition of General
Wood by the new Administration.
The question is not easy to an
swer. Prior to and during the war
there was an influence within the
Wilson Administration resolved to
keep General Wood in the back
ground. The fact that events had
proved him right concerning inn
portant matters was regarded as an
unforgivable offense. He had ruffled
the complacency Of the sneercrs at
preparedness. He had put through
against unceasing antagonism the
Plattsburg plan, which enabled US to
have two million soldiers in France
in time, hence perhaps preventing
loss of the war, and at least shorten
ing it six months, thus saving
thousands of lives. He had seen
when others were blind the necessity
of resorting to democratic universal
service.
For these high services General
Wood was first rusticated in Charles
ton; next health board was named
to invalid him. Then he was offered
a chance to go to Hawaii, and later
was dispatched to a training camp
in Kansas, and finally was suddenly
separated from his division when on
shipboard for Europe.
A fairly good guess was made as
to the Wilson Administrations mo-
tives. 1t was half crazed with fear
that if General Wood distinguished
himself abroad, as he was likely to
DO, he might be an unbeatable candi-
date for the Presidency. So exclu-
sion became an article Of faith. And
when with magnificent restraint the
general told his division not to
think about him but to devote itself
singly to taking its objectives this
did not soften the heart of Pharaoh.
A new series of prosecutions was
devised. The general was assigned
to trying strike duty on the theory
that this would politically break him.
One can understand, as remarked,
the motive of the Wilson Admins
tration. Perception of it was one Of
the reasons for the Administrations
unpopularity. But why any friend
or supporter of Senator Harding
should want the new Administra-
ton to adopt and make it's own the
policy of the Wilson Administrative
is mystery no one has yet solved.
Professional politicians, of course,
do not like General Wood. He was
guilty of going to the people with
his candidacy. But the largest group
Of militant Republicans that the
party contains will be irritated if
General Wood is excluded, and poll
sticians are generally mindful of the
wisdom Of deferring to public opin-
ion. The poor politics of keeping up
the vendetta must. be realized. 1t
thus is hard to escape the conclusion
that the opposition has it's origin not
in the rational processes of the head
but in the irrational processes of the
spleen.
Senator Harding is to be acquitted
of completely in this splenetic schem-
ing. When he said he would choose
Cabinet of big and representative
men he meant it. He has not an
nounced any change of mind. So the
impression sought to be spread
abroad that he has fallen a victim
to the anti-Wood cabal is to be dis
missed. When the President-elect
makes his Cabinet announcements
the gentlemen who have sought to
relieve him of all responsibility for
Cabinet making by doing the Job
themselves may be expected to have
some unhappy minutes.