ways. In the fulfilment of his delicate functions as commanding general and civil governor, he exhibited tact, ability, firmness, conservatism and judicious common sense. In his own words he "tried to impress upon the people that the first thing they had to do was to learn to govern themselves, and that the underlying principle of self-government was thorough respect for civil law." In recognition of his services, both military and civil, in Santiago, he was made major-general on December 8, 1898, and he became military governor of Cuba, December 13, 1899, serving until May 22, 1902. His administration in Cuba received the highest praise from Secretary of War Root, whose acquaintance with its results was derived from a personal visit to the Island. "Out of an utterly prostrate colony," he said, "a free republic was built up—the work being done with such signal ability, integrity and success, that the new nation started under more favorable conditions than has ever before been the case in any single instance among her fellow Spanish- American republics. This record stands alone in history, and the benefit conferred thereby on the people of Cuba was no greater than the honor conferred upon the people of the United States." He was appointed Major-General United States Army, August 8, 1903.
In 1903 he was sent by the president to fill the difficult dual position of military commander and civil governor in the Sulu Archipelago, and his record there amply sustained the wisdom of the war department in choosing him for the place. He is now in direct line for promotion to chief of staff of the United States army, following General MacArthur.
General Wood has been a frequent contributor to periodical literature, and has also written a number of valuable reports. Among his writings are articles on: "The Cuban Convention"; "Future of Cuba"; "Military Government of Cuba"; and " Need for Reciprocity with Cuba." Harvard university conferred on him the degree of LL.D. in 1899; Williams college in 1902, and the University of Pennsylvania in 1903.
On November 18, 1890, he married, at Washington, District of Columbia, Louisa A. Condit, daughter of John Condit Smith of Buffalo, New York. They have two sons.
