Evening star., 1921-05-14
WEEKS
BIDS FOR HARMONY
Policy of AIIaying Department
JeaIousies Seen in Gen.
Pershing's Appointment.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.


Secretary Weeks has started in ear
nest to heal the sores of the War De-
partment. The appointment of Gen.
Pershing as chief of staff of the
United States Army. with the unprec-
edented selection of an assistant chief
of staff. who will avowedly have
charge of all administrative detail.
may seem difficult to explain TO the
outsider. but viewed as a part OF
general policy of reconciliation be-
tween jealous factions and conflicting
personalities, the move is hailed as
the best way out of malignant con-
troverSy, which had it's origin during
the war and which had to be settled
tremendously before the War Depart
ment could function smoothly
Clashes Between Oficers.
During the war. and, indeed. since
the armistice, there has been more
than one clash between the officers
who saw service overseas, some OF
whom had a tendency to regard as
less important the stay-at-home ofn-
GERS, and the folks. who directed the
training of troops and the mopliiza-
tion of resources on the American SIDE
of the Atlantic. Conversely. the Off
ness concerning the overseas officers,
the latter having insisted upon voice
in promotions which upon more than
one occasion upset the states made on
this side.
The conflict between Gen. Peyton c.
March chief of staff, in Washington
and the headquarters of Gen. PershinS
overseas was never a matter OF open
break. DenialS were repeatedly made
and probably will be made that any
friction existed. but the fact is when
people try to issue orders to each
other three thousand miles away and
without specific knowledge of the
circumstances under which each side
is working every day there is bound
to be friction.
Recognizes Gen. March's Ability.
Secretary Weeks has the highest ap-T
probation of the ability of Gen.
March. Were it question of just
having a chief of staff with whom the
Secretary of War could get along
there wouldn't be the slightest hesi-
tation on the part of Mr. Weeks to re-
tain the present head OF the Army.
But Gen. March incurred to some ex-
tent the ill will of members of Con-
gress, who were not accustomed to
be treated brusquely even in war
time. Just as Gen. Crowder made enc
mics in Congress by rigid enforce
ment of the draft law, so will Gen.
Mdfcn De Known III ARMY history dS
one of the martyrs Of the war in
Washington.
Secretary Weeks. however. has
taken a practical and not senti-
mental view of the situation. To
smooth out the various controversies
point a new chief of staff. Gen. Per-
shing's ability and prestige buIked
large in the equation. yet it was real
iZed that to put Gen. Pershng in the
closest contact with administrative
detail might serve only to keep alive
certain elements of controversy. For
instance. Maj. Gen. Edwards. who was
sent back from France at Pershing's
orders. Is directly under the jurisdic-
tion of the chief of staff Other
sources of friction due to overseas
troubles might have been revived
were Gen. Pershing to be obliged to
handle the personnel of the Army
again. something that it is believed
was distasteful to him.
First Plan for Gen. Pershinr,
The first plan suggested was that
the hero Of the American expedition
AIRY forces be made a general of re-
serve armies and occupy separate
and distinct post from the peace-time
organization Of the Army. But a
careful examination of tie law re-
Vcaled that this was impossible-the
Army and all its parts must be under
the command of the chief Of staff
To ask Congress to make a new law
meant leSlSlating for particular sit
uation. which might be embarrassing
upon the retirement of Gen. Pershinp
The only way out was to make Cen
Pershing chief of staff. give him nom
inal command OF the entire Army and
specific command of the reserve
armies.
The man chosen for assistant chief
Of staff. Gen. Harbord. is close
friend of Gen. Pershing. In France
Gen. Harbord was in command Of the
service of supplies--the famous second
line of defense-a post that required
extraordinary ability. Gen. Harbord's 5
executive talents won universal
praise. lie is not only an able but a
popular officer and his record overseas
Is such that he can be expected to
handle the peace-time Army without
friction.
Edwards Controversy settled.
First Secretary Weeks had to handle
tn" Edwards controversy. He solved
that by making Brig. Gen. Edwards
a major general and putting him at
tn" top of the list. Then he had to
tackle the controversy over the re-
recognition Of Gen. Pershing's serv-
.Cr's.
Secretary Weeks feels that he has
recognized all parties and begun a
new deal. And now he wants the
rank and Tiie of the Army. the clioues
and the cabalS 10 cease their intrigues
and settle down to business.
Copyright. 1927