The sun., 1918-07-07

Gen. March generally begins by turn
ing TO one of the maps and beginning his
explanation of developments without pre-
liminaries. Sometimes he uses n pointer
the typical pointer used in school
rooms-to assist his audience in follow
ing changes in the battle line. He speaks
rapidly, precisely and without waste of
a word. No one would think of inter-
rupting him. One of the correspondents
stood up to get better view of the map
during the second conference and the
General promptly ceased speaking and
said, "Sit down, please" Since then no
one has stood up during the explanations.
After that conference the eorrespon-
dent who was called to order caught up
with Gen. March walking down the cor
ridor and apologized for having stood up.
The correspondent-one of the best
known here-confessed afterward that he
expected Gen. March to slap him on the
back and say it was all right. The Cen
eral, however, looked him straight in the
eye and accepted his apology.
After going over the salient military
features, Gen. March gives out such news
items as are ready for publication. At
the first conference he announced that
the 10000 mark had been passed in the
number of American troops sent overseas.
At the second conference he raised the
number to more than 100000 and would
have made it 1,000, 900 at the last con-
ference had he not been asked TO keep
this announcement back to permit it to
feature the Governments Fourth Of July
celebration.
Ready to Answer Questions.
When he has said all he has to say
Gen. March faces his audience and adds
with military snap: "Any questionsf'
The questions begin to come and they
are answered without a moments hesita-
ton. The General makes point of CIV
ing the information if it can possibly Be
given. Frequently the answers bring out
important features Of the Governments
war programme. For example, the Gen.
eral was asked whether the shipment Of
troops overseas had progressed as well as
was expected few months ago.
81 don't mind saying" he replies, that
we are about five months ahead Of our
programme"
As soon as a lull comes in the ques-
lions the General says, That's all, gen.
tlemen," and every one knows that the
meeting stands adjourned. The General
is usually the first to leave and goes back
to his busy Office to tackle big problems
which are now his work day by day and
hour by hour.
The formal, military, businesslike at
titudc of Gen. March is novelty in Of
fetal Washington, but it appeals to many
nevertheless. The first impression one
gets is that it is not a natural formality
but assumed for the occasion. This i'm
preston, however, quickly dissipates after
one sees Gen. March in action few times.
He is always the same and the formality
is seen to be result Of the fact that
the General is heart and soul in his pres
ent responsible work and takes it very
seriously.
In these war times the man who takes
his work seriously generally inspires con-
fdence no matter how incidental that work
may be- But with Gen. March, upon
whom is much of the responsibility for
the success of the nations war pro-
gramme and the care and welfare of more
than million men, there is excellent rea-
son for taking his work with all the seri-