Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-26
IMPRESSED ny STRENGTH
Of PERSHiSG'S CHARACTER


The writer saw IA good deal OF these
officers during the Two days he slept
/ 81 the commanderin-chieCs general
Headquarters and among the American
troops.
OF General pershinc it is unneces-
sary TO say much. as We are all more
or less familiar with his personality
1t was impossible TO talk with him
without being impressed by the
strength OF his character and the force
Of his mind. Power OF command is
marked on every line OF his face
General fershirE is self-made man
Not by royal favor or by ar!stocra,ic
+ influence is he where he is. but by
virtue o. his own efforts. which ne has
never relaxed for single hour since
he left West Point Academy. now
more than thirty years ago.
Starting in 1856 second licuten-
ant in the cavalry, he fought against
the -Apaches in New Mexico and took
part in the Sioux campaign in Dakota.
but it was in the Spanish War that he
made his mark as soldier. 50 i'm =.
/ pressed 1s President Roosevelt. by hi.
ability ,"t he promoted him 10 tho
rank OF brigadicr-Seneral over IN.
heads of $50 officers who were senior
20 him. lie is now Gfty-s!4 years Of
age, but as keen, alert and progressive
as Woisciey and Roberts wer. in their
palny days
STAFF is CHOSEN
FOR ORGANIZING POWER
This hein: a business war, war Of
organizations, OF big scale plans and
Of mighty movements the American
comma ndec-in chief has chosen HE
star for their Organizing power and
business capacity. They are q renar2-
abl" hodY Of men, with long heads
and quick brains, admittedly ino1
rericnccd in such war as thew have
been called on to direct. but men with
adapta bic minds. anxious 10 proft bv
French and British experience. and
graft II on TO American methods II
vas pleasure 70 talk with them and
see them at work in their quiet. un.
obtrus!vc. methodical way which gives
early promise OF future success. They
are all thin-lipped, purposeful men.
who have confidence in their chief, and,
through him, in themselves.
Not one boastful word was uttered In
the writer's presence by any single one
OF these officers. who have settled
down TO their work with grim de-
termination, which is tempered by a
refreshing sense OF American humor.
without going into details. IL NAV
ne said that the American Army IL
being organized vAry much on the
mode OF the IrHsh army General
Pershins, VINO Dr.. recently hoeu =,
the front, has very high opinion OF
S.r DOUG las iIais and Of the orssni.
Hation which he has introduced into
the armies under his command.
The American division. the army unit
is now being roinohelcd on the basis
Of the British division. and transporta-
ton has been formed into depar,ncn,
all 10 itself This means that supply
and transport, instead Of heinS linked
together under the duartcrrnasicr-Ecn.
oral are to run in double harness un.
der The driving direction Of tho com.
Handerin-chicf. This system was in.
itated by Sir Douglas i!aiE ana Is
working with admirable results on the
British front
J 1RaNSPORTATiOS PROBLEM
GHANESr FOR AMERICA
Transportation ~ for the rnorncn, IN,
e problem o. the day with the Amcrl
can general star and viii remain 81
tin the American troops have reached
their concentration rendezvous
owing 70 the ports on The noru
il coast 81 Franc" being appropriated 10,
. hr!t'Fh army bases, the American arm,
= haac" arc n"coasarily al located TO IN.
western coast This prevents conyep
ton ~ tn. French i.rf,o,. 49,, .