Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-07-04
Washington Divides Forces Into Three Military De
 partments.
pTRSHTMT TO BE.
 MAJOR GENERAL
Action Taken. il l. Reported, to h. crease EnIicfandy and Relieve MHiOr-Ga neral Funston of EnOr-
 !nGus Responsibilities.

Washington, July 3.-With more than 150. coo troops assembling along the Mexican border, the war depart ment today took steps to decentralize direct administration of the 1,SO0- mile frontier in the interest of eff ciency, probably to pave the way for the appointment of a supreme com mander to coordinate all military activities on the international line.
 The border formerly in the South ern department from the Gulf of Mexico to California, now is divided into three military departments, com manded by Major r-General Frederick Funston Brigadier General John Pershing and MajorGeneral Frank 'in Bell.
 War department officials said the new order, which automatically re- ievcs General Funston of supreme command on the border and the enor- nous responsibilities that have crowded upon him, had no signifi- canoe as indicating preparatiol for wa.
 There was no announcement in re-
 
 1 senior major general for commander in-chief of the border guard and field forces.
 There are indications that Major , General Leonard Wood, former chief of staff. now commanding the depart ment of the East, is being considered in this connection.
 Other probable changes indicated by the order is the promotion of Gen. eral Pershing under the army bill now effective It provides for three additional major generals, and it is thought General Pershing will be giv- en one of these positions in recogni- ton of his services in his pursuit of the Columbus bandits.
 Division of Departments.
 The statement issued by the depart ment follows:
 "The present Southern department, divided as follows, with assignments of command thereto as indicated:
 "A. The Southern department to be under command of Major General Frederick Funston. to embrace that part of the present department to a liro east of El Paso.
 B. The departments of New Mexi- co, with headquarters at Fl Paso, Tex, to be established under the com mand of Brigadier-G General J. J. Per shing, to extend from western boun- dary of Southern department to the 18th meridian.
 e. That portion of the Southern department west of the 18th meridian to be assigned to the Western depart ment, under the command of Major General J. F. Bell. with field head quarters for same at Douglas, Ariz.
 General Bell is now in command of the Western department, with headouarters at San Francisco. He also is a former chief of staff of the army
 Pending the appointment of an off cor to supreme command. the func- tions of the three departments will he co-ordinated through the war de- partment.
 Will Not Withdraw TrOOns.
 The assignment of General Per shing to the command of the depart ment of New Mexico, it was stated officially, does not mean that the ex- petition into Mexico is about to be withdrawn, nor that General Pershing himself will return to direct the af- fairs of the department from Ell P*so his new headquarters. It is assumed he will remain in the field. If he is promoted, brigade commander probably will be sent to relieve him in Mexico, unless developments should necessitate the sending of a large number of additional troops across the border.
 Brigadier-General George Bell, Jr.. will remain in direct command of the El Paso district, where his brigade is on duty.