New-York tribune., 1921-06-18
Cen. March to
Retire Nov. i
At His Request
Chief of Army Staff Given
Leave on July L, When He
Turns Office Over to
Pershing, to Visit Abroad
Has Served for. 81 Years
Will Devote Time to Writing:
Weeks Expresses Regret
Accepting Resignation
From The Tribnne's Washington Bureau

FROM The Trtbune's Wushinoton Bursnu
WASHINGTON, W June 17.-The re
tirement from active military servic,
of Major General Peyton C. March
Chief Of Staff of the army, was author
lied to-day by Secretary of War Weeks
to become effective November /, 1921
in compliance with the request of th,
officer. General March will be given ,
leave of absence on July /, the date ht
turns over the office of Chief of Staf
to General John J. Pershing, and thi.
leave will continue until the date of hi,
actual retirement.
General March will travel abroad n,
soon as relieved of his military duties
and upon his return to this country hi
will devote his time to writing, Secre
tary Weeks said.
Asked If q retired officer is amenahle
to army regulations affecting articles
for publication. Secretary Weeks sale
that men on active or non-active dut,
were subject to disciplinary action fo,
offenses. General March himself pro.
muIgated these regulations June 28
1917. Secretary Weeks said he had ne
tear that General March would trans.
gress military law in any work he
might pursue in civil life.
Completes 81 Years of Service
General March completed thirty-sever
years of active service on June II
when he wrote to the Secretary re
questihg retirement, to which he was
entitled after serving thirty wears. Ir
his letter General March said:
Il have before this indicated to vou
my desire to be retired from active
service, but have not formally made
such request in view of your strone
1nsistence that l not take such action
=. In order that there may be no fur.
tner delay in assigning other general
ofhcers to their permanent duties
now request that l be placed On the
retlred list, under the provisions OF
section 1243, revised statutes, effective
November l, 1921, after thirty-seyer
years service, which l am completing
To-day, and enclose copies of orders to
erect, such action. The statute re.
1erred to authorizes the retirement of
any officer of the army, on his own re.
quest after thirty years service.
cannot sever my active connection
with the War Department without ex.
pressing my appreciation of the unfail.
ing consideration you have accorded me
personally, and in the performance Of
my duties as Chief of Staff, you have
gwen me constant support.
II wish, and predict, the greatest
success for your administration Of the
af1alrs OF the War Department"
Weeks Expresses Regret
=, In complying with the request of
General March, Secretary Weeks took
occasion to express appreciation Of the
assistance given him by the chief of
stan since March 4, when he assum ed
office, and spoke of the important work
General March performed during the
war. In his letter, Secretary Weeks
said:
II regret that you have decided ia
take action, because I am we'll aware
OF your value to the service. Not only
during my short term in this depart
ment, but during my service in the
Senate, | have had an opportunity to
observe your conduct of the important
position you have held, and I appreci-
ate fully the very important results
you have been able to accomplish. /
especially wish to mention your sue
SSoo III diIeCblHS tHe transportation OF
troops to Europe during the war, which
was a service of great magnitude and
in which you accomplished really re-
markable results.
II appreciate the very great assist
ance you have been to me since the
fourth Of March. Your aid and advice
have been of the greatest value"
The retirement of General March
brings to close a service which he
began as cadet at the military
academy on June IA, 1882. General
March has been one Of the army's ex-
pert artillery officers. When the United
States entered the war he was sent
to France and had charge Of the artil-
lery school at Valdahon. Later he was
General Pershings chief of artillery
until May 20, 1918. when he was re-
called to this country and made chief
of staff following the transfer Of Gen
eral Tasker M. Bliss to France.