Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-03
Important Changes Made
in Army Commands in
Southwest.
LINE TOO LONG
FOR ONE DIVISION
Addition Of More Than 10000 Ma
tionaI Guardsmen to Border Force
Neeessitates Decentralization Of Ad-
ninistration-Pershi and Bell in
Charge Of Western Divisions-Fu uns-
ton in Charge From Gulf to El Paso.

lnan 1oU,000 troops emDllnS along
the border. the war department today
took steps to decentralize direct ad-
ministration Of the 1,s00-mile front In
the interest OF efficiency and proba bly,
to pave the way for the appointment
of supreme commander to CO. -ordi-
nate all military activities on the inter-
national line.
The border, formerly in the southern
department, now is divided into three
military departments commanded by
Maj.-Gen. Frederick Funston, Brig.
Gen. John J. Pershing and Maj. Gen.
J. Franklin Bell.
War department officials said the
new order, which will automatically re-
l!eve General Funston of supreme COM
mand on the border and the enormous
responsibilities that have crowded on
him, had no significance as indicating
preparation for war. There was no an
Enouncement in regard to the probable
selection of a senior major general for
commander-in-c chief of the border
guaFd and field forces. Indications are
thai Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, now
commanding the department Of the
east Is being considered.
Promition For Pershins.
Another change indicated by the new
order is the promotion Of General Per-
shing under the army bill now effec-
tive. slIt provides for three additional
major generals and it is thought Cen
eral Pershing will be given one Of
these. The statement by the depart
ment says:
: The present southern department is
divided as follows with assignments Of
command thereto as designated:
"A-The southern department to be
under command Of Major General Fun
ston to embrace that part Of the pres
ent department to a line east of Ell
Paso.
"B-The department of New Mexico
with headquarters at Ell Paso to be un-
der command Of Brig. Gen. j. J. Per-
shing to extend from western boundary
Of southern department to the 1O9th
meridian.
"C-That portion Of the southern de-
partment west Of the Tooth meridian
to be assigned to the west department
under Maj. Gen. J. Franklin Bell, with
field headquarters for same at, Doug
las, Ariz."
Bell Commands in West.
General Bell is now in command Of
the western department with head
quarters at San Francisco. He also is
former chief Of staff Of the army.
= ePnding the naming of an officer to
supreme command, the functions of the
three departments will be co-ordinated
thru the war department.
The assignment Of General Pershins
to the command of the department Of
New Mexico, It was said, does nor
mean that the expedition into Mexico
Is about to be withdrawn or that Gen.
Pending the naming of an officer to
rect the affairs of the department from
Ell Paso, his new headquarters It is
assumed that he will remain in the
fieldy # he is promoted, brigadier
commander will be sent to relieve him
in Mexico unless developments should
need the sending Of large number Of
troops across the border.
Brig Gen. George E. Bell, Jr.. will
stay in direct command Of the Ell Paso
district where his brigadeSis on duty.
perSnt09 10 WoV0 NorIO
Retirement Of General Pershing's ex-
.pedition to probably 100 miles closer
to the border was declared by an Of
ficer at the war department to be due
to military reasons alone.
At the state department 1t wa said
there was no change in policy regard
ing the expedition.
Army officers explain that the prob
lem Of supplying the expedition has
become more difficult. The rainy sea-
son is due but there has been no rain
for weeks, and the country, about Cen
eral Pershing's camp has been stripped
OF the last vestige of forage for his
animals.
The war department is without in
formation as to the, present DISPOSE
ton Of the expeditionary forces, but
the matter has been arranging be-
tween Generals Funston and Pershing.
General Funston was given wide lati-
tudef in this when the expedition was
sent.
Reply Not Vet Received.
The state department had no idea
today as TO when the reply OF General
Carranza to the demands sent week
ago might be expected. The Mexican
embassy also was without Information
on the point. The department has re-
,saavaA 1ntiyna%iona fhat <ha Snv3oon -