Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-02-20
Washington Is Shocked by
News of Brilliant Career of
Youngest Major General
Suddenly SnUffed Out,
HIGH TRIBUTE PAID
BY BAKER AND SCOTT
Last Promotion Is Said to
Have Come Because of Ef-
fiCienCy Shown in Execut-
ing Orders at Vera Cruz,


Washington, Feb, l9.-MaJor Cen
eral Funston's sudden death came as
a great shock to high officials of the
army and to President Wilson. He
was one of the distinguished CONS
manders of the service, and one of
whom greater things were expected in
the future. The youngest MAJOR gen
oral of the line, vigorous and appa-
rcntly healthy, he had been counted
on by his superiors for many more
years of active service.
The news reached the war depart
ment late tonight in a brief dispatch
from the headquarters Of the south
ern department. It was telephoned
to Secretary Bakers home, where a
dinner was being given to the presi-
dent, with most of the ranking army
officers in Washington among the
guests. Secretary Baker made this
statement;
Praised by Baker.
General Funston's death is a loss
to the army and loss to the country.
During the trouble on the Mexican
border his work has been difficult,
exactng aud delicate. His conduct has
been that of soldier, and he has eX-
emplified the high tradition of the
American army by his quick. intelli-
gent and effective action Through
out it all, the sympathy between Gen
eral Funston and the department mas
been complete and no shadow of dis
agreement has arisen.
Il am deeply grievcd personally az
his death and feel that his loss to
the country is very great.
Pcrshing Is Successor.
Major General Pershing, who has
been in command of the Ell Paso dis
trict since the withdrawal of the
American expedition, automatically
will succeed to the duties Of the com
mander of the southern department
until an appointment has been made
Recently made a major general ne
is the only officer Of that rank now
assigned to the department.
As Immediate successor to the com
mand, General PershinE will have
charge of the many details OF lhe
movement of the remaining units Oh
the national guard, ordered nome
from the border last Saturday. 1t Is
expected here that this movement
plans for which were worked out by
General Funston as virtually his last
military duty, will go forward Withou'
interruption
PROMOTION TO Regulars.
When Funston won his rank oil
brigadier general as reward tor ms
suectacular capture OF Aguinaldo. the
Philippine rebel chief. his active serV~
ice in the regular United States army
began. He speedily reached the Top
of the list of brigadiers. but when
there we're vacancies In the list Oh
major generals. ne was passed over
no less than six times bN Presidents
Roosevelt and Taft. At times Fun
sion almost despaired of further pro-
motion, but with characteristic tenac-
ity he stuck to the army.
When Vera Cruz was occupied, Ma
lor General Wood, chief of STAFF. I'M
mediately selected Funston as the
logical man for the field command.
Every army officer expected there
would be fighting of the hard guerrilla
kind. learned in the Philippines, ana
every one agreed that when Funston
landed in Vera Cruz he would start
something"
Obcys Orders Brayely.
But when Funston unloaded MS
troops and relieved the navy or pos
session of the city he learned tha'
President wilson's orders were that
there were to be no aggressive move
ments; that the army was to "a'ch
and wait. The pressure on the niue
commander can only be realized pS
those who were with him in vera
Cruz in those crucial hours. Ihou-
sands of Americans thronged the
citv with the most extreme stories Oh
conditions in the interior and urged
that the army move on; enthusiasm
for finishing the job" was hisn
among the young officers. The out
posts were insulted, even fired upon
American troops were kidnapped by
the Mexicans; one soldier was killed
and burned the camps were raided
Continued on Page Two.)