El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-11-25
GENERA. PFRSHTNG As SECRETARY OF
WAR Is THE NATIONS FIRST CHOICE

MILITARY man that is to say active officer Of the
n army secretary of would be contrary to Amer
ican governmental tradition and consequently would meet
with strong opposition. But If Gen John J. PeTshng re-
tires from the active list he has right TO DO, there can
be n valid objection to his appointment.
Indeed there is other man in the United States so
well qualified this immensely important post. Parcu-
larry Just this time the naming of Gen PershHg for War
secretary would be wise and popular thing as the
new president could do.
IF the amy BUDGET is to be around s6ooooocoo year.
as now seems Hkey-a equal to the entire expense OF
running the government only few years ago-surey It
would be the part Of to put the admnsa-
tiou OF this vast and the responsibility attaching to
the management of the national defensive organization
into the hands Of who knows something about armies
and something about
There is no ether man in the United States having
vide and varied experience IN all kinds Of military
activities Gen Pershing; in actual warfare under all
conditions from the bush srmish TO the greatest battles
the history Of the worlds in preparation for al sorts Of
military movements from reporting all present to hurting
100000 troops against the Germans
There other the United States who has had
such opportunities ne has had, by experience obserTa
tion travel and contact to learn the very best IN military
science that the entire world has developed and
learn the shortcomings and the causes Of failure.
There is ether in the United States who knows
vel the human qualities Of the men who make the
armies from the generals down to the recruits the quail
tiles that have everything do with the efficiency
failure Of amy and that often misunderstood
ignored.
There Is no other who knows we'll IN their largest
aspects the problems Of supply, in peace and war; the
problems OF personne the problems Of heah the Prob
lens OF accuracy Of training Of maintaining high standards;
the problems Of correlation.
There is other who has much he to
despise the incapacty Of stagnant bureaucracy
much reason to smash everything that stands IN the way
Of military efficiency and economy Of effort and money
There Is other who has so broad view Of all the
needs Of the army; he knows what the air service
needs what the artillery needs; what the signal service
needs vel what the infantry and the cavalry need
He knows weapons and defences He Knows what other
nations doing and what must do. He knows what
America needs to make 1t secure.
Gen. Pershng mas had enough dealings with statesmen
and politicians Of the world 70 Know how to deal with
political problems which often hsve most important bearing
on how army matters handled. Re Is Of
exquisite TACT sufficiently reserved and yet cordial and
deeply sincere he makes friends and keeps friends
As an adviser to the president, member Of Nj.
able only army matters things strictly within his
professional speciality but also IN the wide range inter
national relations that wiz require constant attention and
the Fisest direction during the next few years
Gen Pershing is broadly cultured widely read and
thoroughly educated student Of humankind and q world
history As far the poles from being provincial he is
still American to the core not infected with the new inter
Hatioualsm that would sacrifice wsntonly the power for
great IN the world that America has BY mind
ing her OWL business and minding 1t wei.
Gen Psrshing represents both the old army and the
the has disappeared the light Of his splendid
achievements he accomplished magnificent sue
cesses but no military commander who ever lived more
modest than he IN receiving praise socitous than
he that the great body OF troops who did the work should
receive the glory the gratitude, and the reward.
The world VIII forget that It Gen Pershing
March 1913 at the darkest hour the history OF modern
civilization who sank al professional pride Of independent
action all thought Of personal desires ambitions the