The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-09-04

. the basis OF his accomplishments in
| France--and just now many committees
OF the republican congress are busily
| engaged in Investigations designed to
prove that the democratic administra-
ton made more or less OF q fizzle OF
everything connected with the war.
Also there are many I'm congress who
want to see the whole American ven
ture In France exposed, not merely as
to matters financial, but matters mill
American troops ordered a couple OF
hours before the armistice. Also a
group will want to know from Gen.
Pershing all about court martials and
the brutalities. alleged. ima ginary and
real. which have been detailed in con-
nection with the Ansell-Crowder con-
troversy.
Were II not for the fact that the
father-in-law of Gen. Pershng Is Sem
ator Warren. Of Wyoming. republican,
there would not be any ground at all
for supposing that the general is re-
Secretary 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 reck-
oned hereabouts.
Democrats Might Nominate Him.
SO scarce Is Information on the SUBJ
ject of Gen. Pershing's political pre-
objections that. sundry democrats have
wondered whether, IL he were attacked
by the committees of the republican
congress, there might not be an oppor-
tunity to receive him into the nominat-
ing arms OF the democratic brethren.
But the underlying belief is that Gen.
Pershing is republican. And that if
he were to be a candidate at ALL il
would be on the republican ticket. Add
to this the fact that much rivalry ex-
lists between Gen. March. chief of staff.
who ran things at the war department,
and the overseas commander, and tho
possibilities of still blaming the demo-
cratic war department and exalting
the republican commander in the field
are not deemed in the least absurd by
the congressional or political mind in
search for candidates for 1920.
OF one thing, however, congress has
already an indication--and that is Gen.
Pershings determination to stand up
for the A. r. F.. all along the line,
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 will the general relish
other Investigations into decisions that
had to be made on the field OF battle
and In hours of great uncertainty, when
the sacrifice OF men as well as money
we're not CONSIDERED IN the intense de-
sire to gain victory.
Home Trip Has Possibilities.
From such letters as the general has
written to friends here. it is gathered
that he believes the American people
cannot be fully informed as to what
took place in France, or they would not
be in sympathy with inquisitorial eff
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 discip-
line. His trip across the country.
which probably will be in the nature of
a triumphal return, has in it political
possibilities for an emotionally inclined
people, only the wiseheads in both po-
litical parties believe America has had
a surfeit of emotion. and that soldier
would not be popular. Ger
tainly Gen. Woods boom which has in
it note Of censure for the democrats |
because they didn't let him go over
seas has a bearing on Gen. Pershing's !