Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-06-08
MAN ROOSEVELT PROMOTED
WILL COMMAND FIRST AMERI-
CAN ARMY IN EUROPE.
DIVISION OF BEST REGULARS
Probably rs 900 Picked Men, Complete
Iy Equipped, Will Comprise the Elk
peditionary Force-May Be Split
into Three Divisions.
BY EDWARD B. CLARK.

an annual message to congress in De-
cember, 1905, lamented that as presi-
dent of the United States it was not
In his power to promote Capt. John J.
Pershing to a grade next higher than
that which he held in the army and
thereby give recognition to the COM
handing qualities as soldier Of the
young officer of cavalry.
1t then was in the power of the
president of the United States, how
evers to promote any man that he
chose to the position of brigadier gem
eral. He could promote to no grade
except that Of general rank. Roose-
welt had recognized Pershing's ability
as a soldier, but he did not at first feel
that he should jump him over the
heads of 800 other officers to make Of
him a brigadier general. Inasmuch,
however, as the law prevented the
president from promoting Pershing to
any lower rank, he named him in Sep
TENDER, 1906, as brigadier general.
and today Pershing is ordered to lead
to Europe the expeditionary force
which it was Roosevelts desire to
lead in person.
Pershing May Take 10000.
The war department has allowed the
press to print the fact that Pershing
is to go to Europe with division, and
in short order. The numbers of the
troops that Pershing will take with
him are not given definitely, but, of
course, everybody is supposed to know
how many men there are in division.
An interesting question, however, is
raised when one considers the fact
that in the French and English armies
a division consists of 1900 men while
in the American armies it consists of
$4,000 men,
The country has been allowed to
know that it is the intention of the
American war authorities to raise the
number of men in company from 100
to 25O, thus making each company
equal in size to the companies in the
service of the allied countries on the
western front.
1t may be that all the American
forces will be. made to conform in or
ganizatiOn with the allied standards.
Ii this is the case Pershing may take
26, 900 men with him to the firing line,
possibly to be split into three divisions
after the European order.
It is natural enough to assume that
Pershings force will be given at least
two months training behind the lines
II, oI h Will
take with him are trained to field serv-
ice which they must render on the
battle front The men know cOmpara-
lively little of grenade fighting, or of
trench warfare in the highly developed
state in which it is carried on at the
present day.
Will BE Picked Men.
The regulars which will go with
Pershing will be picked men. All the
regulars regiments are in good trim
physically. They are not, however.
up to wartime strength in numbers,
but this readily can be remedied by
transfers from one batch of regiments
to another.
It can be taken for granted that
when the expedition leaves under
Pershing's command there will not be
a knot hole in it's seasoned timber. No
better men ever fought an enemy than
those who will follow Pershing to Eur
ope There is equipment enough for
| them except in a few departments of
service and this lack quickly can be
supplied.
If Pershing shall take $4,000 men
| to Europe with him and after getting
In camp back of the front it shall be
agreed to split the force into three
divisions, although this chance is re-
mote, two American brigadier generals
will find themselves promoted to ma
! jor generals over night. Pershing will
be in command of the first division and
in supreme command Of the three, but
he will have two officers of his own
rank as fellow commanders.
New Generals to Be Named.
President Wilson is about to ap-
point II or IA brigadier generals of
the regular army, and one ma
jor general for each three brigadier
generals. Later the president will ap-
point great many more officers to
general rank which they will hold
while in command of troops of the new
army.
For every brigadier general that is
made in the regular army, advance
ment, of course, comes all down the
| line because Of the vacancy which is
created above. With the expansion of
the regular army to force of nearly
| 100000 men there will be need for a
great many additional field officers and
for scores of captains. The subordinate
| officers of the regular army will be
given quick advancement, not all Of
which will be dependent upon the Gre
alton of new brigadier general and ma
| jor generalships.
So far as the regular army is con-
cerned, it may be that the promotions
| to the brigadier general rank will be