The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-20
.FUNSTON'S BUSY LIFE
Continued from Page One. }

placed in command of all United
States forces on the Mexican border
General Funston had worked at an
unusual pace. At critical times in
border developments he frequently re-
manned on duty twenty hours of the
twenty-four. The handling of regu-
lars disposed at various stations on the
border, the Pershing expedition and
of late, Encouragement of regular
troops, while providing for the return
of national guardsmea, have entailed
an enormous amount of detail work,
probably exceeding that which fell to
any commanding general of the
United States army since the Civil war
Monday, General Funston completed
orders for the return of the last of the
guardsmen. Because of the amount of
work which has fallen to him, General
F'unston's only recreation or relaxation
for nearly year has been an occa-
slonal dinner party with a few friends
Orchestra Was Playing
Only recently General Funston re-
turned from an inspection trip which
took him as far as Nogales, Ariz. That.
with one trip to Brownsville, Tex,
and a brief visit to Austin, Tex, last
year, was the only occasion when he
mas been absent from his desk since
the border trouble developed
General Funston's last words before
he became unconscious were:
How beautiful it is
He referred to the Beautiful Blue
Danube waltz which the hotel or
chestra was playing.
Catching AguinaIdo Won Fame.
The picturesque and dashing cap
ture of Aguinaldo, the Filipino rebel
chief, was the achievement which
brought Funston prominently to the
attention of the American people, but
ne performed many services for his
country besides that which were prob
ably more difficult. His administra-
ton of affairs in Vera Cruz, where he
carried out the presidents orders
with a firm hand, simply holding the
city when every influence about him
was centered upon forcing the Ameri-
can army into actual fighting with the
MeXicans, probably was the most not
able service of his career The Ameri
can troops had been in possession of
Vera Cruz only a few days when one
or the Mexican generals sent a mes
sage saying in most polite terms that
he was unable longer to restrain his
troops ana that they were about to
advance and drive the Americans into
the sea
III you can't hold your troops back
L cam" was the laconic MESA ge Fun,
ston sent back.
Others Promoted Over Him.
When he won his rank of brigadier
as reward for his capture of Agui-
naldo his active service in the regular
United States army began He speed-
lily reached the top of the list of brio
adiers, but when there were vacancies
in the list lof major generals he was
passed over no less than six times bv
Presidents Roosevelt and Taft. At
times Funston almost despaired of
further promotion, but with charac
teristic tenacity he stuck to the army
When Vera Cruz was occupie1
Major General Wood, chief of STAFF
mediately selected Funston as tbe
logical man for the field command
EVery army offlcer expected there
would be fighting of the hardest e,Ier~
rilla kind, learned in the PhiIiDnines
and everyone agreed that when Funs,
ton landed in Vera Cruz, he wo,,1d
start something" But when Ems
ton unloaded his troops and relieved
he learned that President Wilson'S
orders were that there was to be no
aggressive movements, that the army
was to watch and wait.
Calm Under Mexican Insults.
Thousands of Americans thronged
the city with the most extreme stories
OF conditions in the interior, and
urged that the army move on; en-
thusiasm for finishing the Job was
nigh among the younger officers. The
outposts were insulted, even fired
upon; American troops were kid
mapped by the Mexicans; one soldier
was killed and burned. the camps
were raided by marauders. Every
provocation to spur a fighting man to
action was given, but Funston never
forgot his orders whatever his own
emotions might have been. He held
down the situation and President Will
son made him a major general
Born in Ohio in 1868.
General Funston was born at New
Carlisle, Clark county, Ohio, Novem-
Der 8, 1865 His grandfather on his
fathers side was a Scotch-1rishman