The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-03
Status in Doubt.

Were It not for the fact that the
father. In Flaw OF Gen, Pershing is
Senator Warren, Of wyoming, Re-
publican, there would not be any
ground at all for supposing that
the general is a Republican.
Indeed. his intimacy, with Sec
Rotary Baker and the liking which
President Wilson himself has for the
general might have been sufficient to
disqualify him for membership in the
Republican fold as membership Is
reokoned hereabouts. So scarce Is In
formation on the subject of Gen. Per-
shlng'S political predictions that sun
dry Democrats have wondered whether,
II he were attacked by the committees
of the Republican congress, there might
mot be an opportunity to receive him
into the nominating arms Of the Demo-
cratic brethren.
But the underlying belief is that
Gen. Pershing is a Republican, and
that II he were to be q candidate at
all, II would be on the Republican
| ticket. Add to this the fact that much
rivalry exists between Gen. March,
| chief Of staff, who ran things at the
mander and the possibilities OF still
blaming the Democratic war depart
ment and exalting the Republican
commander In the field are not deemed
In the least absurd by the COMPRESSION
al or political mind In search for can
didates for 1920.
or one thing, however, congress has
already an indication-and that Is Gen,
Pershing's determination to stand up
mistakes and all. He didn't relish the
Idea Of testifying before a committee
In France. headed by a man who voted
against war, then enlisted, and now
heads an inquiry into the conduct Of
the war itself. Nor VIII the general
relish other investigations into decisions
that had to be made on the field OF
tainty when the sacrifice of men as
well as money were not considered In
the Intense desire to gain victory,
From such letters as the general has
written to friends here, II Is gathered
that he believes the American people
cannot be fully Informed as to what
took place in France or they would not
forts based upon the demands of party
politics. Moreover. the general Is said
to be prepared to defend the court
martial system as essential to dlsci.
pline, His trip across the country
which probably win be In the nature o.
a triumphal return has In II political
possibilities for an emotlonally inclined
I people, OnlY the Wlhe1thuS tIn UulI
political parties believe America ha.
had a surfeit of emotion and tina
a soldier candidate would not be popu'
lar,
Certainly Gen Woods boom, which
has in 1t a note of censure for thu
Democrats because they didn't let hin
60 overseas, has a bearing on Gen
Pershing's chances. The Wood sup
porters claim Pershing was a party Il
the conspiracy whereby Gen. Wood wa
kept at home. So far as soldier can
dldates go, Gen. Wood has made ire
mendous Roadway in the West and Gen
Pershing has all that region In which
to travel and a great deal more,
The first thing he probably will d.
las BELTS n man who wishes III,
: political lightning to strike him-is h
say alphabetically that he Is not a can
didate and that he doesn't want tn,
| office, All of this Gen, Pershing |
.. said to be prepared to do, Then |
1 will be the business OF the politica
| managers to learn whether the popula
reaction to Pershing's return Is suffi
, Client to make him the choice OF tn
, party, Whatever else may happen I
! John j. Pershing In the next tw
months, he will not be able to escap
the staring and scrutinizing eyes Q
the political leaders and their truste
inspectors Of public opinion,
Copyright, 1919, by David Lawrence)