New Britain herald., 1924-09-13
PRESIDENT LAUDS
 GENERAL PERSHING
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of congress, in recognition of his tulfillment of his country's expecta- tions. The American troops, under his command, by their presence, high qualities and skillful manage ment, assisted materially in the de- feat of the central powers of Eur ope which resulted in the freedom of civilization from autocratic rule.
 One of Few To Hold Rank
 "He is one of the very few officers who have held the rank of general in the permanent military establish nnent, and the one who has exercised supreme command over much the largest body of troops ever called into action by the United States gov- ernnent. His services to the world in the greatest conflict in which military forces have been engaged have been recognized through the award of highest decorations by the governing authorities of Belgium, Great Britain, China, Czecho- -Slova- kia, France, Greece, Italy Japan, Montenegro, Poland, Panama, Ru- mania and Serbia.
 "In his position as chief of staff since the termination of the world conflict, he has been mainstay to the executive in preparing an army of modest dimensions to be the nu- cleus of any military force the coun- try may be obliged to place in the field. He has taken a leading part in the development of the citizen components of the army of the United States.
 General Pershing has already re- ceived from the congress the thanks of that body and of the American people, and now I extend to him anew the thanks of the nation for his eminent services and feel certain that I voice the sentiment of the en- tire citizenry of the republic in wish ing him long life, happiness and prosperity in the retirement he has so richly earned"
 The retiring general of the armies lays down his burden of active mills tary duty with the satisfaction of having witnessed as a culmination of the task to which he has contributed devotedly in the period since the war a test Of the new national de- fense program which he and his as- sociates regard as eminently suc- eessful. His heart and thoughts were wrapped up in this one thing to the very last hour of his active service.
 Says Farewell
 General Pershing's farewell to his associates of the army was given over the telephone lineup after he had concluded the radio address to the country for which this was ar ranged last night. Calling the roll of corps area headquarters from Washington to New York and thence to, San Francisco, with an instant response from each, the general in ouired of each major general in command the result of the defense test in his territory. The unvarying report of success and enthusiastic public support brought his personal thanks and congratulations. Then he bade them farewell.
 General Pershing has not indicat- cd his plans for the future, hut he declared at an informal gathering with Secretary Weeks and other high officers and officials last night that he had no thought of being in- active after retirement, He had plans which he hoped to carry out, he said, but was not more definite.
 secreary Weeks, who earlier in the night had introduced General Pershing in his defense day radio address es the nations foremost soldier" at the latter gathering ex- pressed the hope that some way would be found to keep the general h. active service. He expressed re. gret that the age retirement regula- tion should operate to remove from active service a soldier of his ex- perience, health and value 10 the service.