The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-03
MARCH,
ACTING CHIEF OF STAFF,
+ IS WASHINGTON REPORT
He Will Be Brought Back
From France to Take Place
of General Bliss While Lat
ter is Engaged at Interallied
War Council.

Washington, Feb. 2-President
done that can be done to win the
war this year viii result in another
shake-up in the general staff of the
army
Major General Peyton c. March, it
is reliably understood, is TO be brought
back from France to serve as acting
chief of staff during the remainder
of the war. Though General Tasker
II. Bliss, now in France attending the
inter allied war council. is certain to
retain for w<le at least the title
of chief OF star VT is the purpose of
as permanent representative Of the
United States on the council.
Much is expected from General
March. The president. it is stated.
derRands that yigor be infused into
the veins OF the army. lie wants ac-
ton and results. Though the admin
iBtration has every respect for the
abilities of General Bliss. it Is be-
lieved that the younger man win be
better able to give to the supreme
direction OF the military machine the
push and enthusiasm demanded
General Bliss, 1t is thought, viii be
invaluable sitting on the supreme in
ter allied war council. Ho lis regard
ed as one of the ablest strategists of
the army.
March Able Artilleryman.
The selection of General March,
moreover, means that the American
government makes concession to the
tremendously important part which
the artillery genius of every officer
is playing in this war. His entire
career. with the exception OF 4 brief
period during the Spanish American
war, has been with the batteries He
is looked upon as one OF the ablest
artillerists in the American or amy
other army.
General March is just fiftythree
years OF age. His appointment as
major general came last SUMMER af-
ter he had gone 10 France in COM
mand of the first contingent of Amer
lean artillery sent acrosa. II Is not
improbable that congress will be
asked to create another full general
ship In order that as acting chief OF
staff he Will not be outranked by men
he directs. Bliss and Pershing ars
now the only full generals.
The selection. 1t is declared, will
be particularly pleasing to General
Pershing, whose advice has been
asked. From the outset OF his ex-
perience France General Pershing
has demanded younger men in i'm
portant places in the army. Never in
/ the history of wars has conflict SO
taxed the physical endurance of hu-
man fighters. The problems OF the
Am erican army by reason of it's tire
mendously lengthy line OF communi-
cations across the Atlantic are many
times more complex than those Of the
nations associated with lis.
Demands Youthful Men.
| The job, from Americas standpoint,
General Pershing believes, demands
youthful men not only to stand the
| physical hardships but the mental
worries. 1t Ia tremendously pom
derous machinery that the United
States has had to build up. II needs
| a good deal of push
| General March, his friends declare.
! win fIli the bill. An embodiment OF
enthusiasm, the lean. wiry man is
likewise described as a dynamo In
action. Like uAost army men who
have spent the most OF their years "tn
the nsld," he has little patience for
red tape Ills experience IN France.
1t !s stated. has taught him in many
ways the terrible cost of delay.
| He Up a native OF Pennsylvania, and
% VI w VEL V9nI TIC seEFed
| in the Philippines with the infantry
during the Filipino insurr ection. The
rest of the time he has been with his
guns. During the Russo panese
war he was military observer for the
, United States with the Japanese
forces. Field Marshal Oyama's staff
/ is said 10 have cultivated a profound
respect for the keen sighted man who
watched them work.