New Britain herald., 1917-02-08
PERSHING IS PRIDE
OF THE WAR DEPT.
Secretary Baker, Writes Letter Of
Praise to General

IT, Washington, Feb. s.-High COM
nendation for the work OF the army
on the border and in Mexico is ex-
pressed by Secretary Baker in letters
to Major General Funston, command
ing the border forces, and Major Gen.
eral Pershing, who commanded the
punitive expedition just returned to
American territory.
To General Pershing the secretary
wrote:
II have just received word that your
command has recrossed the Mexican
border and is again on the territory Of
the United States. From the original
organization of this force until the
conclusion of it's work it has been an
object Of constant pride and pleasure
to the department by reason of It's
high military efficiency, its vigorous
and effective pursuit Of it's object and
the restraint imposed by both officers
and men upon themselves In their con-
sideration for the people of Mexico
with whom they came in contact and
the public authorities of the country.
1.-The expedition thoroughly dis
persed and scattered the bandits who
menaced the safety of Americans on
our side of the border; for long
months it's presence from attack and
depreciation, and it is a conspicuous
demonstration of the fine chara cter OF
the expedition that upon it's retire
ment it was voluntarily followed by
large number of the civilian popula-
ton among whom it had been and who
had learned to regard the American
soldier as their friend The circum-
stances under which the expedition
airy force remained in Mexico might
well have aroused against it distrust
and hostile popular feeling. 1t is, so
far as I know, unprecedented in the
history Of such expeditions that a
quite unanimous good will and conf
dence has been gained among the
civilian population in which the army
was stationed
Il desire to congratulate you and
the officers and men of your COM
mand upon the accomplishment OF
great service to the country, and also
upon the splendid manner in which
they have sustained the best tradi-
ton of our armies
The letter to General Funston said:
Praise for Funston.
'I have just received word that
General Pershing's expeditionary
force has returned across the border
into the United States. I write this
letter to express to you, as the de-
partment commander, my deep salts !
faction with the organization and
of this force and the work it |
has accomplished. From it's entrance
into Mexico its work has been char |
acterized by efficiency in the pursuit |
re 70
the people with whom it came into
contact and the government upon
whose soil it was in effect guest. The
supply and communication service
loeset with difficulty. has |
been finely maintained and the Incl |
dent is a highly creditable episode in |
our military history
General Pershing will take COM
mand at Ell Paso. and distribution OF |
the force he commander in Mexico |
will be under the direction of Girg. !
Gen. Swift at Columbus. The force |
will be divided among fourteen sta |
lions from Yuma, Ariz.. to a point |
near the eastern end Of the border
Pershing today reported at Column !
bus 3,749 refugees who accompanied !
the force from Mexico. Lieutenant |
Ord, in charge of the refugees. al !
ready has found employment for '
a bout half of them. and he believes |
he will be able to get work for the |
others. Pershng reports he expects
no difficulty in their disposition. OF
the refugees there are 2,o30 Mexicans,
S33 of whom are men. STA women
and 623 children less than - years
old. There are 107 Americans-SO ,
men, 40 women, and 6S children.
The Chinese, mum boring 522. will be
held temporarily.