The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1927-05-28
"CAVALRY CABINETS IS
DEFENDED BY WOOD IN
THONPSONCONTROVERSY

between Governor General IaOnafd
Wood of the Philippine Islands. and
Colonel Carmi A. Thompson, per-
sonal investigator for President Cool
idge, is disclosed in an article by
General Wood appearing in the June
number of the Infantry Journal.
Thompson recommended To the
president adjustment of the practice
of assigning army officers TO serve
in the cabinet of the governor gem
eral
General Wood makes no reference
to the Thompson report. He asserts.
however. that the fairly widespread
| assumption" that military officers
are temperamentally msuitad for
peace time civil functions Is not
sound" nor based on authentic his
torical experience" and urges that
the War Department continue 10
contribute its exceedingly moderate
quota of army officers for advisory
and even executive duties with the
insular government"
General Wood was invited to ex-
press himself on the subject by tn
Infantry Journal which is published
by the Infantry Association of the
army. He said he was glad of an
opportunity ito say "A few words
because of the assumption that army
officers were unsuited for civil du-
ties
Assumption Unsound
THAT this assumption is not sound
that II is not based on authentic his
torical experience, | am satisfied" he
said, adding that the theory that ''an
able soldier or sailor Is tempera-
mentally untitled to render intelli-
gent, unbiased and valuable public
service in fields of civil admnistra-
ion would not bear historical exam
ination.
Speaking from personal experience
md intimate observation, | do not
hesitate to assert that both in Cuba
md the Philippines, officers of the
United States army were largely in
strumental in laying the foundations
of civil government and II the
edifices constructed on those founda-
tions have not measured up to the
highest expectations, the fault GER
tainly does not lie with the army, ="
General Wood declared.
ut has been my experience that
when assigned to civil responsibilities
irmy officers have habitually adjust
ID themselves to their new environ
ment of duty with notable facility
md have handled the affairs entrust-
I'd TO them with fidelity and ability
Army Field
I'm the absence of branch Of
he Federal civil service specialized
n the administrative functions of the
)versea possessions, the army offers
| convenient field for the selection
II men of maturity and Judgment
Who have had years of service in
he Philippines. know the customs
and understand the temperament of
he people and are generally con-
versant with conditions in the Philip
oines and in the Orient as a whole
Since its inception the government
Of the Philippine Islands has been
within the jurisdiction of the sec
etary of war
1T seems to me, therefore, that
I Is appropriate as we'll as eminent
y practical for the War Department
o continue to contribute its exceed
ngly moderate quota of army Off
.ers for advisory-and even executive
luties with the insular government. /"
The Wood article is a general dis.
ussion of the part played by mill
ary officers of all greatly adven-
-urous seafaring" nations in the evo-
luton of civil government in newly
acquired domains. That duty has
rested with army officers, he said,
as far back as the days of julius
Caesar.
And it may be remarked that no
nation that has refused the challenge
)f high adventure has ever been re-
warded by the laurels of great
achievement" General Wood added.
:iting Spain. France. Holland. and
especially Great Britain as notable
examples Of nations daring in ad-
venture and successful in achieve
ment
The story of the United States
Is one long story of hazardous adj.
venture, boldly sought" he said.
The story of the winning of the
west is an epic"
Enumerating British soldiers who
had also been great upbuilders CT
civil government, Wood named Lord
Give in India. Gordon of Khartoum.
Sir Frederick Ingard in Nigeria. Lord
Byng, Earl Jellicoe. Sir Matthew
Nathan. Similarly he gave credit for
rehabilitation of the Philippines to
he abilities of such soldiers as Gen
erals Otis and Macarthur, to General
Henry r. Allen. organizer of the
.onstabulary, and to men like James
:. Harbord, Mark l.. Hersey and
Dennis Nolan who later won distinc-
ion in the World War.
"Officers of the United States army
md navy rendered invaluable con-
,tructive service OF a civil nature IN
Cuba" General Wood said. ''The
genius of an American army officer
linked Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
The foundations of civil government
in the Philippines, including the
civil service, were laid by officers
of the army OF occupation in 1899
and 1900. Their work was varied
and comprehensive. II was work that
demanded courage. patience. persever.
snce, unserving devotion to duty and
a high degree OF ability"