Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-12
Pcrshinc Versus Wood

THE country cannot fail to enjoy the pic
turcsquencss OF 4 campaign for the Re-
publican presidential nomination by the two
leading American military commanders. Cen
cral John ]. Pcrshing and Major-G enera
Leonard Wood. And there are increasing
indications of smashing fight between these
two officers for the honor Of heading the
Republican ticket in the November election
General Wood has been avowed candidate
for months. and now the admiring friends
OF General Pershing announce that lie will
be offered by them to the assembled dele
gates when the Chicago convention meets
1t might be interesting to recall some OF
the high points in the military careers Of
these two officers in this connection. facts
which cannot be kept out OF a race between
them for the presidency. They have been
professional rivals for probably twenty years
and II they arc to become political rivals as
well, the circumstances OF their activities in
the army will be played upon to greater
or less extent by their respective followers
Soon after the with Spain Pershing
and Wood were candidates for commands
IN the Philippines. where fighting was in
progress. But 1t was Pershng who landed
the Philippine post, and it was Wood who
was kept in Cuba to act ms scmicyilian
administrator. an assignment which he per-
maps deplored, notwithstanding the really
fine record of constructive work which he
made
More recently these two officers were con-
sidered by President Taft for the post of
chief OF staff OF the army. This time it was
General Wood who scored He served four
years as head Of the active military estab-
Ilshment, his rival meantime occupying an
obscure position the Pacific Coast But
when the Mexican troubles became acute fol-
lowing the Villa raid across the border a
democratic President gave the command Of
the expedtionary force to General PershinE
and not 10 tho fOrmar of cto
friends had urged his availability for that
detail.
. The rivalry became more intense how
ever, when the country went to war with
Germany and the time came TO select an Off
Ger 10 command the American army over
seas, an assignment which every general Of
nicer in the country coveted. General Wood
was the ranking Encouragement in the army
at the time. and he fervently hoped it may
DE assumed. that President Wilson would
PICK him to so abroad commander in chief
In the field. But General Pershing was
named. and General Wood was sent to
Western cantonment To train and command
n division.
An equally interesting situation arose
when the time came for General Woods
DIVISION to sail for France That officer TO
MS utter amazement, was detach from his
command at the dock itself and sent hack
into the interior TO train another division.
"a atioh-"idc protest was registered against
inns action al the time, and President Wilson
ana Secretary Baker were held responsible
lor TINS surprising order. ]. developed lit
tie later that it was at tho request OF Gep-
cral ferShlnE that General Wood was re-
fused command in the field, request which
inc war department felt impelled to grant
All this must have bearing upon the
political aspirations OF Generals Pershinp
and Wood, and will serve to heiehten The
interest III tho race they will run for the
nomination in Chicago