New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-19
Wheeler Becomes
Ordnance Chief
Canal Builder Resumes
Service as Head of
Quartermasters
Branch
fBy Ths Associated Prosl

by aus AtsoCltlcu lEU9I
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-Secretary
Baker 10 day moved forward the or
ganizaton CT bis newly created war
council by relieving from their present
duties three of the five officers as
signed to that body. This will leave
them free to devote all their time to
the councils task of coordinating all
War Department activities in such a
way that the time heretofore believed
to be necessary for the sending to
France of an army of sufficient size to
insure the defeat OF Germany will be
materially reduced.
Mr. Baker announced that Major
General George W. Goethals had been
recalled to active duty and would be-
come acting quartcrmaster general, re-
leasing Major General Sharpe for SER
vice with the council. Major General
Weaver will be relieved by Brigadier
General Barrette. who becomes acting
chief Of coast artillery, and Major Gen.
eral William Crozier by Brigadier Gen
eral Charles Wheeler, who becomes
acting chief Of ordnance.
General Bliss, chief of staff, and
Major General Crowder, the other Of
Gcers on tae council, will retain their
present positions, the former as chict
Of staff and the latter as judge adVo-
cate general and provost marsnai gem
eral General Bliss retires December
81 for age, but probably will continue
on the council. Preparations being
made to-day for the council Indicated
that General Crowder might be able
TO devote only small part of his time
hereafter to other duties.
Mr.. Baker decided that Offices OF the
council mIst be in the War Depart
mcnt Building itself, and Offices now
occupied by General Crozler, as chief
Of ordnance, propabiy Will be used.
the ordnance bureau being transferred
to another building.
Mr.. Baker indicated in his last war
review that the Russian armistiee mas
made il necessary for the Ohlteu
States 10 accelerate its war prepara-
tions. The zap in the Allied ranks va
Gated by Russia must be nlied Promp|
Iv. many officers here say, II the gen
oral situation shall continue to snow
balance Of actual, as well as potential
nowcr in favor of the United States
and the Allies when the summer cam
naign reaches its height in 1918.
House Urges Haste
Manners of the House mlssioH
which participated in the war con
ference in Paris arc believed 10 na'e
brought back similar message. zen
craI Bliss is preparing detailed re-
mort for the President and Secretary
and thcrc is little doubt that his re-
mort will lay stress on the need ci
haste in American preparation.
II is generally believed that the
American representatives at the war
inference made some definite state,
ment as to what the United States couid
and would do and how long 1t would
take TO do il. The new council prooaDly
viii undertake to make certain the De
livery Of whatever military strength
was pledged to the Allies at that time time.
Secretary Baker would not discuss
to-day General Bliss's successor as
chief of staff. Many reports as TO VINO
,youid be the new chief have been cur
rant in the War Department, but the
osiy publ: recognition Mr.. Baker has
Given them was 10 say that recent
Ieport that General Pershing was to
be recalled to fiji the post lacked any
foundation.
Among officers mentioned for chief
Of staff have been Major Generals
Hunter Liggett. Jonn Morrison, Clar-
cnce Edwards, John Biddle, the present
assistant chief. Joseph +. Kuhn, Leon
ard Wood and other divisional COM
manders. Recently the possibility was
suggested that General Crowder might
be considered and from France has come
a suggestion that Major General Pey--
TON March might meet with approval
auono General Pershing's officers.