The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-05-16
Naming of Pershing
Part of Policy of
Army Reconciliation
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Copyright BY the Intclligencer)

Weeks has started in earnest 10 heal
the sores OF the war department. The
appointment Of General Prrshing a.
chief Of staff OF the United States army
with the unprecedented selection of any
assistant chief Of staff who Will avow-
rdly have charge Of all administrative
detail may seem difficult to explain 10
the outsider but viewed as part a.
a general policy OF reconciliation be-
tween jealous factions and conflicting
controversy which had its oriGin during
the war and which had to De settle:
harmoniouSly before the war department
could function smoothly.
During the war and indeed since the
armiStice there has been moro than one
clash between the officers who saw
service overseas. some Of whom had L
tendency TO regard as less important
the stay-at-home officers and the folks
who directed the trimming OF troops and
the mobilization OF resources on the
American side Of the Atlantic. Con-
vcrsely. the officers on this side showed
a SenSitiNcncSS concerning the overseas
ofhcerS-thc latter having insisted upon
4 voice in promotions which upon more
than one occasion upset the states madS
on this side.
story of Friction.
The conflict between General Peyton
G. March. chief Of staff in Washington.
and the headquarters of General PerSh-
ing overseas was never matter OF
open break. DentalS were repeatedly
made and probably will be mad" that
any friction existed but the tact tS
when people try To issue orders 10 each
other three thousand miles away and
without specific knowledge of tho cir
cumStances under which each side IS
working every day there is bound TO be
friction.
Secretary Weeks has the highest ap-
probation on the ability Of General
March. We're II a question OF just har-
ing 4 chief Of staff with whom the
secretary Of war could get along. there
wouldn't be the slightest hesitation on
the part Of Mr. Weeks to retain the
present head Of the army. But General
March incurred TO some extent the i'll
Will OF members OF congress who were
not accustomed to be treated OruSQuely
even in war times. Just as General
t'rowder made enemies III congress by
rigid enforcement Of the draft law. so
will General March be known In army
history as one Of the martyrs OF the war
IN Washington.
Secretary Weeks. however has taken
a practical and not sentimental VIE"
~ the situation. To smooth out tho
various
going. he had TO appoint a new chiet OF
staff. General Pershing's ability ana
prestige bulked large in the equation yet
il was realized that TO put General
Pershing in the closest contact with ao-
nInistratiye detail might serve only TO
keep alive certain elements or contro-
',crsy. For instance. Major General
Edwards who was sent back from
France at Pershing's orders. is dlrectlE
under the jurisdiction OF the CHIEF OF
staff. Other sources of friction due 10
overseas troubles might have peen re-
Civcd were General PerShinS 10 De
Obliged 10 handle tho personnel or the
army again--Something that II Is oelleN-
ed was distaSteful TO him
Porshtng In Command.
The first plan suggested was that tne
hero OF the American eXpeditionarH
forces be made general of reserve arm
les and occupy separate and distinct
nost from the peace-time organization
-. Of the army. But careful examination
Of the law revealed that this was impoS-
sible-the army and all its parts must
he under the command OF tn" chiet OF
staff To ask congress 10 make u ne"
law meant legislating for particular
situation which might be embarrassing
upon tho retirement OF General fersh-
ing The only way out was 10 MAKE
General Pershing chief OF start give
him command OF the entire army ana
specific command Of the reserve armies
The man chosen for assistant chiet OF
staff-General Harbord-!s close
friend Of General PershnG. In France
General Harbord was incommand OF 'he
service OF supplies-the famous second
line of defense. Il post that required en-
traordinary ability. General Harooru ,
executive talents won universal Praise
He is not only an able but popular OIL
uce- and his record overseas Is Such 'n"'
he can be- expected To handle the peace
,lmc army without friction.
Firs, Secretary Weeks. had 20 hanu's
the Edwards controversy. He solved
tina, 10y making Rrigadier General r.u-
wards = jor general and putting mn"
Z, the top Of the list. Then he mad 20
tackle the controversy over the re'et'-
tjon Of Genera! March and finally the
recognition Of General Pershing serN
ices. Secretary Weeks feels that ne mas
recognized all parties and begun ne"
dea,. And now he wants the ranh auu
tilc Of the army. the ChqueS anu 'nc
cabals 10 cease their intrigueS anu Se'''0
down to business.