Evening star., 1925-03-23
PERSH|NG ACCEPTS
TACNA-AR|CA POST
Agrees to Serve as President
of Plebiscitary Com
mission.

Gen. John J. Pershing will be the
president of the plebiscitary commission
in accordance with a provision of Presi-
dent Coolidge's award in the Tacna-
africa case.
This was announced at the White
House shortly after noon today, follow
ing a brief conference with the Presi-
dent and the general. 1t was stated Of
icially afterward that the President
was very much pleased that such an
eminent citizen Of the United States, Of
worldwide reputation. was willing to
accept the position which is considered
one of the most important Offices of
public trust which an American citizen
could be called upon to discharge
The fair and judicial settlement ot the
Tacna-Arica case after 40 years means
much for the peace and good relations
OF South America. and the high char
acter of Gen. Pershing, according to the
White House announcement of his ac-
ceptance, Is an assurance to both parties
that their proper interest will be safe
guarded.
Prepares to Act at Once
The State Department will organize
a staf of expert assistants for Gen
Pershing, including officials in the
foreign service with experience in
atin-American questions.
Gen. Pershing had planned a trip
to Europe this Summer as head o.:
the American Battle Monuments Com
mission. Acceptance of the plebiscite
appointment caused these plans to be
Cancelled. The inspection of the mil
itary cemeteries will be made by
other members of the Battle Monu-
ments Commission, including Thomas s
W. Miller. former alien property Gus
todian, and Senator Reed, Republican,
Pennsylvania.
Gen. Pershing began preparations for
his new task Immediately after he had
informed President Coolidge and Secre-
tary kellogg of his acceptance His
first step, in this connection, was the
issuance of orders to his Office staff to
clear the path OF all other but plebiscite
commission business.
Gen. Pershlng has not as yet con-
sidered any of the details connected
with his appointment He will take up
as soon as possible, however, considera-
ton of such questions as the formation
of his advisory assistants staff and
those concerned with his departure for
South America. Presumably the gen.
eral will be accompanied to Peru by
the commissioner to be appointed by
President Coolidge as the American
member of the body that Is to locate the
old provincial frontier which the arbi-
traitor determined as the third element
of his award.
May Run for Senate.
Gen. Pershing may become the Re-
publican candidate for the Unite d
States Senate from Missouri two years
hence. Already a movement is under
way among prominent Republicans
and admirers of Gen. Pershing, who
has been advised of the intention of
certain leaders to promote him for
political honors. Gov. Hyde and the
Republican States chairman of Mis-
souri, urged the head of the A. E. F.
to enter the fight against Sepator
Reed two years ago. At that time
Gen. Pershing was still in active serv-
ice and because of this he declined
to heed the opportunities of the party
leaders of the State.
At the present time 1t is believed
Gen. Pershing may be of a different
mind as he had plenty of opportunity
since his retirement as the head of
the Army to devote himself to legis-
lative work, in which many Senators
believe he is specially qualified and
would be undoubtedly an asset to the
military committee of the Senate, and
at the same time continue his services
to the War Department when needed.