Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-20

Secretary Baker made ,hi, state
mcnt:
General Funst"n'S death is loss
TO tho army aud a loss to tho country.
During the trouble the Mexican
border his work has been difficult. en-
acting and delicate Ills conduct has
been that of Il soldier. and hc has "N-
cmpliiicd tho high tradition Of the
American army 10y his quick, intel
liScn, and effective action. Through
on, it all the sympathy between Gem
cral Funston and tho department has
been complete. aud no shadow of dis
agreement has arisen.
II am deeply rricved personally at
his death. ANA feel that his loss to the
country l. very great"
PERSUING Will. SUCCEED
TO DUTIES AUTOMATICALLY
Major-Gcncral Pcrshinr. who has
been in command Of the III paso dis
trict since tho withdrawal from Mex
leo. automatically Will succeed 10 the
duties as commander Of the Southern
Division until an appointment is made.
Recently promoted TO a major general.
he is the only officer OF that rank as
signed TO the department.
AS immediate successor to tho COM
mand General Pcrshnr Will have
charge OF many details Of the move
ment of the remaining units OF tho
National Guard ordered homo from tho
border last Saturday.
1t is expected here tina, this move
mcnt plans for which were work Ell out
by General Funston as virtually his
last military duty, Viii 20 forward
without intcrruptiuu
The picturesque and ia Shimc capture
of ASuinaido. the Filipino rebel chief
Was tho achievement which brought
Funston prominently to the attention
of the American people. hut he per
formed manI services for his country
beside that which wcr" probably more
difficult. Ills administration Of affairs
In Vera Cruz where he carried ont the
Presidents orders with ~ firm hand
simply holding tn. city when every
influence about him was ccutcrc, upon
forcing the Nmcricau army into actual
lighting with the MeNicans. probably
WAS tho most notable service of his
career
The American troops had been in
possession "f Vera cruz only Il few
days when ono Of the Mexican generals
sent in a message saying in most polite
terms that nc was unable to longer
restrain his troops, aud that they were
about to advance aud drive the Amor-
leans into tho sea
III YOU cant hold YOUR troops buck
! can was tho tncouic mcssag, run-
Stou sent back
HAD RE,ItIti>tBi.I: CAREER
HEEuHr: NIX COMING: SOLDIER
Funston. native OF Ohio. nnd reared
on 4 Kansas farm. had u rcmartahlc
career before h.. became a soldier.
Few pcoplc know that his first work
was as a scientist with 81 ben, toward
botany. As AN agent Of The Depart
mont OF Agriculture i'm 1891. he took
part in tho Death Valley cArcditiurt
then lie explored \laSka :,u,l the Irit-
1sh Northwest aud crossed .\laSka t."
the Arctic Ocean and Travelled from
Mackenzie Eiycr Ia Herring Sca-a four
ncy of ahom, $500 miles He campcd
In tho klondikc during the wiutcr III
lS9%, and thcm alone hoatcd down tho
Yukon in canoe, q Journey of hum.
drcdS of miles through :; wilderness
without seeing ano,hor living soul
Soon after that he resigned from tho
department "f Aeri"ultur" and ,ra,-
olcd in Mexico
When tic Inst cuban Instruction
broke out, unst"It Applied to tho r.yo-
iuti"narN juutn iu New Norh for ser.
We" with tn" rchol army, hut tho
'uhans suspected him ~ h.ine :, SPY
or AN agent "t the United States rum
nnS down violations OF ucutrality
laws Finally he convinced thcm o,
his intentions. and for many weeks Ia
rooms Of Am uut-"f- thc-way street I'm
the lower E.s, Side 81 New YORK Fun