The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-04-18
AYEDWARDS
WILL Be new
ARMY CHIEF
Believe He Will Succeed
March as Chief of Staff
Indiana Congressman Re-
gret Bundy Omission.
PERSHINC LOSING GRIP?
PALLADIUM NEWS BUREAU


WASHINGTON, April 18.-Omis-
sion of the name of Brig. Gen. Omar
Bundy from the list of officers to be
promoted to the rank of major gen.
eral sent to the senate for conflrma-
ton by Secretary of War Weeks is re-
sented by the citizens of Newcastle,
Ind, judging from letters which have
been received from Newcastle by
some members of the Indiana congress
sional delegation. General Bundy.
who commanded the famous Second
Division, which included the Marine
tive of Newcastle.
On his return from France Gen.
Bundy visited Newcastle and was re-
ceived there with all the honors ac-
corded to a conquering hero. Rich
mond also gave him hearty welcome
as he passed through that city en-
rIute to his old home.
General Bundy was on the list rec
commended for promotion which MI
Baker, former secretary Of war sent
to the senate of the last congress, but
that list failed of confirmation. When
Secretary Weeks revised the list he
struck off Bundy's name and substi-
tuted that of Brig. Gen. Clarence X.
Edwards, who, for time, commanded
the New England division overseas.
Edwards name did not appear on the
list Mr.. Baker prepared, 1t is peculiar
fact that Generals Bundy and Ed
wards were classmates at roommates
at the military academy at West
Point and have been the closest OF
friends throughout their long services
in the army.
Pershing Losing Grip
If Dame Rumor is to be believed
army politics" has had much to do
with the fact that Gen. Bundy has not
been listed for promotion. The fact
that Gen. Edwards has not only been
slated for promotion but has actually
been placed at the top of the list of
new major generals is generally &C
cepted to mean that he is to succeed
Gen. March as chief of staff of the
army. Such action, in turn, would be
interpreted to mean that the so-called
Pershing group among the higher Of
ficers OF the army had lost their in
fluence with the war department. Ed.
, wards, like General Wood, has never
been a favorite with the former com.
mander-in-chief of the A. f. II. 1t Is
recalled that after brief service over
seas General Edwards was relieved
from his command and returned to
the United States, and this action has
always been credited to General
Pershing.
1t is pointed out that the new secre-
tary of war is a Massachusetts, man
and that General Edwards was. until
he was ordered back to the United
! States, in command of the New Eng
land division. 1t is also recalled that
! H. ~1s 80 III =
command, Mr.. Weeks, then senator,
and other New England members of
congress called at the war depart
ment and entered a vigorous protest,
but to no avail. Everything consider
! ed. no one will be greatly surprised
if Edwards is the next chief of staff.
!. Regret Decision.
! 1t is fact. however, that Indiana
members of congress sincerely regret
| the apparent decision of the war de-
| partment to use General Bundy as a
! stepping stone for his former room
mate and classmate to enter the office
General March now occupies.
1t is understood that the Pershing
group of general officers favor General
Harbord, an officer who made a bril-
! liant reputation with the A. E. F.. for
chief of staff but General Pershing
and his associates are apparently no
| longer in control of affairs at the war
department.
Bundy is regarded as a fine type
of the American soldier. and General
! Edwards bears the same reputation.
| When the French broke at Chateau
! Thierry, General Bundy, who was sup.
porting them with his Second division,
i was ordered by the French general
who was his superior to withdraw his
! command. Whereupon the blunt Indi
| ana veteran stated that his troops
! would not understand an order to re-
treat and that he intended to order a
general advance, which he did imme
diately. Then followed the complete
route Of the famous Prussian guards
at Balleau Woods, which meant the
: salvation of Paris
General Bupdy is now in command
! of the Sixth Corps area with head
quarters at Ft. Crooke, Neb.