Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-07-03
Authority of Border Com
mander Divided-No Elk
PLANTATION Is Given.
TO NAME NEW CHIEF
Change Believed Prepare
tory to Appointment of
Supreme Executive.

Washington, July 3.-The war
department announced Late today
that the order creating a new de-
partment To be known as the New
Mexico department, commanded
by Brigadier General PerShing had
been temporarily suspended ''pend-
ing the adjustment of minor adj
ministratiOn details of the re-
arrangement
1t was stated at the war depart
ment that suspension of the order
was determined upon so that Cen
eral Pershing might report on
whether his activities in the field
viii permit him to assume the
duties on the new department.
Washington, July 3.-A division
OF authority among military COM
manders along the Mexican bor-
der announced today by the war
department. reduces the iuriSdic-
ton of the southern departments
commanded by Major General
Funston to the Texas line from
the coast to FL Pas0. creates
new department of New Mexico,
commanded by Brigadier General
Pershing and adds the Arizona
border to the western department
under Major General Bell.
Heretofore the southern department
has embraced the entire border from
the gulf coast to the California state
line and General Pershing's expedition
in Mexico has been directly under
command of General Funston.
These changes announced by the
war department publicity bureau with
out explanation, are believed to be
preparatory 10 the appointment of Il
major general to assume supreme
command Of the forces on the border
and in Mexico.
In Interest of Efficiency.
With more than $50 900 troops as
sembling along the Mexican border
the war department today took steps
TO decentralize direct administration
of the 500 mile frontier in the inter
est Of efficiency and probably to pave
the way for the appointment of su
preme commander TO coordinate all
military activities on the international
line
The border formerly in the southern
department. Gulf of Mexico. TO Cali
fornia, is now divided into three mill
tary departments, commanded by
Major General J. Franklin Bell
Army officials said the new order,
preme command on the border, had no
significance as indicating preparation
for war. There was no announcement
in regard 20 the probable selection of
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 and now commanding the
department of the east is being con-
sldered.
Another probable change indicated
is the promotion Of General Pershing
under the army bill now effective. 1t
provides for an additional major gen
eTal and II IS thought General Perish
ing Will be given the post IN reCOgnl-
Ton OF ms services.
Tending the appointment Of an Of
hcer To supreme command, the func-
tons Of the three departments will be
coordIuaLed through the war depart
neuL
Controls Mexico Dept
The assignment of General Perish
ing 70 the command Of the department /
OF New Mexico, it was stated officially, |
does not mean that the expedition into
Mexico Is about to be Withdrawn or
that General Pershing himself will re
turn to direct the affairs Of the depart /
quarters 1t is assumed that he will /
remain IN the field.
Brigadier General George A Bell |
will remain in direct command of the /
Ell Pa-so district where his brigade is |
On duty.
ianbs Retire Nearer Border.
Retirement Of General Pershing's ex- |
petition 10 the bases now occupied, !
probably 100 miles closer to the Dor /
Ger, was declared at the war depart /
ment today 10 be due 10 military rea~ /
sons alone. At the state department !
Today il was said there had been no /
change IN policy regarding the e1pedi- /
uon, although private Mexico City ad- /
Wees assert that CarrauZa officials /
construe the movement as an indica-
uon that the expedition soon Will be
Withdrawn.
Army officers explain that the prob
lem OF supplying the expedition has
become more and more difficult. The
country about General Pershlngs
camp has been stripped Of the last
gestge OF forage for his animals
Inc war department Is without III
Iect Information as 70 the present dis
position OF the f,xDediIil1aTy fDrC6S.