Evening star., 1926-10-05

Selection Of Maj. Gen. Charles P.
Summerall as the new chief of stan
of the American Army is looked upon
by the people of the United States as
a fitting reward for an officer VINO
was a brilliant factor in the victories
of the World War. He is praised as
an idealist and a gentleman in his re-
lations to civic life, and the belief IS
expressed that he will perform his
duties with great efficiency and be
constructive force in national de-
fenSe.
"It> is not the policy of our coun-
try to maintain a strong standing
army" says the Pittsburgh Chronicle
Telegraph, but, thanks to the pro-
vision of the national defense act, we
are gradually building up a citizens
reserve force which renders great
professional army unnecessary Our
Government rightly insists on quality
In the rank and file and the most able
leadership at the top. This should be
assured under Gen. Summeralls ad-
ministration.
The New York Times quotes former
Secretary Baker as having said or
the present new chief: II am happy
to testify to his splendid gifts as a
soldier and his humane and gracious
gifts as a man. He fought relentless
ly, so that he was sometimes called
the Cromwell Of the American Army,
but he added to this stern quality a
consideration for the welfare. physical
and spiritual, of his men. which made
him an ideal commander"
X X * X
The Times adds that lit was as a
fighting and far.sighted corps com
mander that Gen. Summerall came
under Secretary Bakers observation
in France. During an offensive, Sum
merall always exhibited the aggres'
sive spirit and tenacity that charac-
terized Grant from the Wilderness te
AppomattoX" OF the officers suDSe-
quent career that paper remarks:
HE had the good will of representa-
tive citizens. They recognized his In
terest in their affairs and testified
that the cooperation he had shown
in civic matters had been "a real in
spiration.'
Gen. Summerall, we believe, is a
man with a spirit of idealism," de-
clares the Chicago Tribune, land with
the courage and drive to get the best
out of what is given him. The only
recompense for the microscopic size
of the United States Army is that 1t
shall be as highly trained, as efficient
ly orga nized, as thoroughly equipped
as any in the world, and that behind
it shall stand a great body of citi-
zens who have had some amount of
military training: This is the theory
of the national defense act. 1t takes
a strong man to carry out the theory.
Gen. Summerall is such a man, a
leader Of men. a general officer with a
fighting record"
X X X
"The President doubtless was in
f1uenced," according to the San An
tonic Express, "by the fact that Gen
Summerall is senior on the active
list He has evinced much initiative
and resourcefulness, and is impartia
toward all arms of the military es
tablishment. He is deeply interested
,, in the Army's training activities, ant
during the past few months this
, zens in the I'd Corps Area have
learned that Gen. Summerall is a.
much a foe to militarism as to blin6
extreme pacitism, which would leave
the country unprepared against ar
emergency"
The ST. Paul Pioneer Press believe:
that his selection gives new recog
| milton and responsibility to a fine
officer; that "the record of his &C
i tivities in France reads like a histor,
of a considerable part of American
participation in the war. He com
manded the Artillery brigade of the
1st Division" continues that paper
"in it's memorable action at Cantigny
Promoted to the rank of major gen
! eral, he led the 1st Division through
the bloody triumph at scissors" The
Pioneer Press refers to his leadership
at st. Mihtel. "a difficult military op
eration,'' and at Meuse-Argonne
where the division "worsted parts OF
eight Of the enemys crack divisions
in seven days of heart.breaking but
victorious struggle"
X X
"He was given command Of the
list Division" according to the Buf
fa1o Evening News. lust in time to
direct the work Of that famous organi