The Washington herald., 1920-06-08
4mericdnChief
hWorld War
Mum onFuture
Not Ready to Give Out
Cause Of Resignation
Which Baker Expected.

from active duty in the army within
the next few months
This announcement was contained
in letter to Secretary of War
Baker. which the general made pub
lie last night.
Secretary Baker will reply today
rendering the thanks of the War
Department for Gen. Pershing's dis
.tinguished services to the nation
and assuring him there is no objec-
ton to his being relieved from ac-
tive duty. ~rA
Chicago Trip Rumor.
One of his aides stated that the
general was planning to leave for
Chicago almost Immediately and
would remain for several days"
Il have no intention whatever of
going to Chicago" ITO the con-
trary 1 will probably be in WASH
ington for a few weeks. anyway. for
there are many things to be cleaned
up before I can go-reports. etc. /
have not said whether 1 am going to
be a farmer. business man or what
1 shall go into.
Following his denial that he was
going to Chicago Gen. Pershing left
his home in Twin Oaks, in Chevy
Chase, early last night and entered
his private car, drawn up in front
of his house.
Goes to Hitchcock Home.
The car was driven into Washing
ton to the home of Senator Hitch
cock at 2227 r street northwest.
Here limousine was drawn up in
front of the Senator's house and
Pershing's car drew up in back of
1t. The general and his two aides
left his car, inspected the tires or
the machine and then split into two
parties Two men entering the lin
CUISINE and the other getting back
into the generals machine.
Both machines drove down Massa-
chusetts avenue. the generals car
TO local theater. where an aide
alighted, leaving the car empty.
The limousine disappeared in the
direction of Union Station, but no
further trace of the general could
be found. Station officials stated he
had not boarded any sleeper or train
last night. An express for Chicago
was due to leave at 1905 this morn
ing.
Further inquiries at the generals
home in Chevy Chase only brought
forth the information that the gen.
eral was not at home and no one
could say when he would be back.
As the general left his office, after
making public his letter to Secretary
Baker. a reporter asked him:
What do you contemplate after
retirement general?"
II have several things in mind"
he replied.
"of what nature, business or po-
litical?"
I would rather not say just now"
Discussed With Baker.
AS indicated in his letter, Gen.
Pershing already had discussed his
intentions with the Secretary of
War. The War Department under
stands that he desires merely to be
relieve from active duty. The act
of Congress making him a full gem
eral for life gives him the right to
remain on the active list or retire
allowance continue in either event.
The form of the answer to Gen.
Pershing undoubtedly will be dis
cussed by Secretary Baker with
President Wilson. and full measure
of recognition win be accorded to
the splendid military service of the
overseas commander.
Duties Yet to Be Met.
Gen. Pershirg is chairman .cf the
committees provided for in t::e
Army Reorganization Bill for tas
classification of the officers OF the
army and for filing the ranks of
the officers Urder the reorganiza-
tfon. That is work which can be
d me within two or three months,
il is stated.
The other work referred to by
Gen. Pershing relates to the prepara-
tion of the records of the war in
Europe so far as the American Ex-
peditionary Force is concerned. For
that purpose Gen. Pershing was
given a suite of Offices in the old
General Land Office Building here,
and the compilation and classifica-
tion of these records is well on the
way to completion.
The government has not in any
way stood in the way of any poll
teal ambitions entertained by Gen.
Pershing. it was said last night.
Gen. Wood, IL was pointed out, was
given a free rein and is now on the
last lap of a most energetic cam
paign. a
Not Aggressive Candidate.
Gen. Pershing's Presidential am
bitions. up to this time, had only
taken on the phase of receptivity
The general returned yesterday
from Maine and the letter was
written after his arrival.
Before making public his letter to
ecretary Baker, Gen. Pershing con-
ferred with enator Warren, Republi-
can. of Wyoming, his father-in-law.
While no staetment was available
a sto what was discussed at the con-
ference, 1t is believed that the Gen.
erals retirement from active duty
and his entry into the Presidential
contest was the subject of the con-
fernce.
Gen. Pershing is the only per-
manent full general In the army. al
though Gen. March is a full general
during the "emergency."
Wslsnn Given Isws De~rsa