The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-08-04
.PERSHING WANTS YOUNG GENERALS
 FOR ARMY RULE
Asks for Men Not Over 45 Will Be Backed By
 A Wilson.

HSuin&lons Aug. 4-Gen. tPerSh- ing has cabled the War Department strongly recommending that no gem eral officers of more than 45 years be sent to France in command of Amert- can troops. His commendation has been turned down flatly by tho board called to recommend officers for brig adler and or-generalshfps This board has tentatively agreed to re- commend officers on the rule of sem tority so that the average would be we'll over 55 years. Unless President Wilson disap- proves it's findings and decides to fol- low Gen PershingSs advice, the troops will be commanded by officers who are about to be retired by statutory limitation and who have done little during the last 20 years except occupy desks or handle small attachments in camps. 8
 Virtually none of these officers has ever commanded a brigade, except in rare instances, when they were camp ed on the border. None of them has ever commanded a division. None has seen the new methods of warfare employed by the French. They were drilled in, tactics which are now con- sidered obsolete and many of them ara known to look with disfavor upon the changes of organizations proposed by Gen Pershing whereby the Amer ican armies will be shaped on French lines.
 Before making his recommenda- tions, Gen. Pershing conferred with the leaders of the French and British forces. He also had an opportunity to <7,17 are forced to undergo at the front. By advice and observation he was convinced that the older American officers could not measure up to the physical Requirements at trench war fare.
 There is nothing in Gen Pershing's report indicating that he would not be satisfied to have older general of- fsers attached to Headquarters. or placed, lin charge of operations out of range of the guns. President Wilson's first list of pro- motions in the army following the declaration of war was based on what was conceived to be the merit sys- tenn. He jumped men in selecting officers for generalships.
 It is believed President Wilson will discountenance this proposed promo tion on the theory of seniority, and start a weeding out process through the higher ranks. There is a general complaint that most of the initiative is knocked out of the men before they reach the grade of major, be- cause of the methods pursued by older officers who insist upon main taining the system operative quar- ter of a century ago.
 The entire subject probably will be thrashed out by the President and Mfr. Baker within the next few days, r because action must be taken imme- diately if the National Army is to be organized on time.
 In the event the President decides to follow Gen. Pershing's recommen- dations there will be tremendous shake up in the militia organizations. The President has virtually reserved to the War Department the right to choose the brigadiers and major gen erals who will command the militia troops. The department is now care fully scrutinizing the records of the present commanders of these organi- zations. Many of them were .ap- pointed for political purposes, and are known to be incapable of leading men 1n the field.
 It is believed the President will act on the War Departments recommen- dations, and will decline to appoint to the Federal service any command ing officer whose inability is likely to endanger the lives of the men under his command.
 Should the 45-year limitation be- come operative about 75 per cent. o1 the militia generals will be without commands after Aug. g..