Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-11-08
WOODROW WILSON
As | KNOW HIM


cision with reference to General
Wood was not the decision of the
president, nor the secretary of war,
nor the chief of staff, but it was
the judgment of General Pershing,
the general whom the president had
selected for a high post in command
and to whom he gave full RESPONSE
bility. At the time of General Per-
shing's departure for France. the
president made 1t plain to him that,
as commander Of the Expeditionary
forces, he was not to be hampered
by meddling politicians from this
side nor political or partisan inter-
ference of any kind. He was given
full power in the selection of those
generals upon whom he should have
to depend. His list, therefore, was
approved as a matter Of course.
As recall it, the whole trouble in
the Wood matter arose out of the
apparent humiliation of General
Wood, due to his recall, after he
had taken his division to New York,
preparatory to sailing for the other
side. General March treated the
circumstances of General Woods
case as matter of mere military
routine, falling to realize its politi-
cal importance. Instead of inform
ing General Wood at once that he
had not been chosen to go to France,
he followed the established procedure
and waited for the completion of
the training period before issuing
orders to the division commanders.
General Wood, however. left Camp
Funston in advance of the division
and without waiting to receive his
orders. General March sent the or
ders to him in New York, and in
consequence there was an appear
ance of eleventh hour action, an eff
feet Of literally pulling General
Wood from the deck of the trans
port.
Wood on Pershing
General Wood carried his COM
plant to the president and was told
plainly that the list would not be
revised in the personal interest of
any soldier or politician. The day
General Wood conferred with the
president I discussed the matter
with the general Immediately upon
the conclusion of his conference with
the president. Walking into my Of
flee, after his interview with the
president, the general informed me
that his talk with the president was
most agreeable and satisfactory, and
that he was certain, although the
president did not intimate it to him,
that the reason for his being held in
America could not be attributed to
the president.
Turning to me, the general said:
"I know who is responsible for this.
It is that man Pershing." I assured
the general that there was nothing
in the presidents attitude toward
him that was in the least degree I'M
friendly, and called his attention to
the fact that when the president
took office in 1913 and Wood was
chief of staff. although there were
many bitter complaints made against
him, the president acted upon Gen.
eral Hugh L. Scott's recommends
tons and General Wood was per-
mitted to remain in office until his
term expired in 1914. The general,
very much to my surprise, intimat-
ed that back of Pershing's attitude
toward him was political considera-
ton. I tried to reassure him, and
indeed, resented this characterize
ton of General Pershing as an I'M
just and unwarranted imputation
upon the commander of the Ameri-
can expeditionary forces.
myself felt that General Wood
was being unfairly treated, al
though I did not admit this to him
in our interview. / took the lib
erty of saying this to the president
over the telephone from my house
that evening. I tried to convince
the president that there was feel
ing rapidly spreading throughout
the country that Wood was being
unfairly treated and that it was
not just that the administration,
which I knew was blameless in the
matter, should be compelled to bear
the responsibility of the whole
thing and pay what I was certain
would be a great price in the loss
of popular esteem.
The president in his reply to my
statement showed irritation at what
I said in General Woods behalf,
and used very emphatic language
in conveying to me the idea that
he would not interfere in having
the list, upon which General
Woods name appeared, revised. l
urged that if General Wood was
not to be sent to France he should
be given q chance to go to Italy
Our conversation over the tele-
phone in reference to the Wood
matter was as follows: II trust
governor, that you can see your
way clear to send General Wood
either to France or to Italy" With
out a moments hesitation, the
president said: II am CORY. but it
cannot be done" Whereupon 1 said:
1T Is not fair that the adnlinistra
ton should be carrying the burden
of this whole affair If General
Pershing or the general staff is re
sponsible for holding General Wood
in this country surely they have
good reason, and the public ought
to be apprised of it and thus re-