Omaha daily bee., 1920-03-03
PERSH|NG A man
OF DESTINY, SAYS
EASTERN PAPER
Washington Post Comments
On Trip About Country
Says Many Predict
His Election.
BY E. c. SNYDER.

Washington. March Especial
Telegram. General John J. PERISH
ing is again at his desk in his Wash
ington office after swing of $4,000
miles around the circle" inspecting
military posts, camps, cantonments
and supply depots for the purpose of
gaining a frst-hand knowledge of
present conditions of Our army and
the needs for future betterments.
The general looked as fit as when
he went overseas nearly three years
ago to take command of the finest
army the United States ever as
sembled under the flag to fight in
the cause of democracy. General
Pershing paid his respects to Secre-
tary of War Baker late Monday, and
Tuesday was the guest of Senator
Warren at luncheon in the rooms of
the appropriations committee. Mr..
and Mrs. L. Z. Phelps of Meteetsee,
Wyo., were also in the luncheon
party to meet the commander-in-
chief of the American expeditionary
forces, who bears the distinguished
honors that have been accorded him
by grateful people with modesty
and simplicity that have been the
subject of univei sal praise at the
hands of both press and public.
What "The Post" Says.
Writing of his return to Wash
ington, a staff correspondent of the
Post says:
General Pershing and his staff
left Washington December 3. For
nearly three months the party
travelled over virtually every part of
the United States. Few soldiers ever
have received such a welcome as
was accorded totthe commander of
American overseas in every state,
city and town visited One must
go back to Grants time for
parallel.
While in the west, in December,
a movement within the republican
party in Nebraska was launched for
the purpose of making General
Pershing the presidential nominee
of that party at Chicago.
1t has since spread to other states.
On the Pacific coast, in the south
west and in the south, General
Pershing has been acclaimed by en-
thusiastic audiences as "the next
president of the United States"
Didn't Stampede Pershing.
"The sincerity of these demonstra-
tions failed to stampede the general
or disturb the serenity of his mind,
which is. wholly occupied with his
official duties to the exclusion of
anything remotely resembling poll
tics. He will not discuss politics,
and shows no interest in the sub
ject.
AT the same time the latest re-
ports from Nebraska indicate that
the campaign there to carry the
state for General Pershing in the
April primaries is gathering
strength, and that there is strong
likelihood of the Nebraska dele
gates going to Chicago instructed
for him.
while in Lincoln, where he was
at one time military instructor at
the university, he purchased mod
est home, where his young son,
Warren, lives with his two sisters.
General Pershing's real hearthstone
is there, and he is regarded in Ne
braska as a son of that state.
"Man of Destiny"
"The signs are that his name will
be presented to the Chicago con-
vention. Many candidates there will
have greater initial strength than
will General Pershing, but his abil-
ity is recognized even by those who
are not supporting him, while
there is one factor always to be
considered, and that is this--that
the whole career Of John J. Per-
shing shows very plainly that he is
what history calls man of destiny
Some OF the shrewdest politicians
: in the country believe that this same
destiny will make him president"
PerShing Will Advocate =
M l.