Evening star., 1938-06-20
Persh'ing, Restless for Action,
Recuperates at Waiter Reed
A. E. F. Leader Is Eager
for another Tour of
Memorials abroad.

The rugged constitution which pulled
Gen. John j. Pershing through an ex-
tremely critical illness in Arizona early
this year is making him restless for
action again.
The generals vitality continues to
amaze his friends and physicians. He
Is taking an enforced rest at Walter
Reed Hospital, but is already making
plans for another inspection tour Of
World War memorials In France, some
months hence.
Army physicians are reluctant to
permit him to make any extended ex-
cursion from Washington until they
have completed . period Of observa-
ton and treatment There is but
little likelihood he will leave the hos
pital this summer, it was indicated
today.
Refused 70 Give Up.
Last March physicians at q sani-
torium in Tucson, Ariz., despaired Of
saving the veteran soldiers life. Heart
and kidney functioning slowed down
to . point that would have resulted
fatally to less sturdy man. Gen.
Pershing refused to give up the tight.
however, and, almost miraculously, he
began recovery that was climaxed
recently by his appearance at the
wedding of his son Warren, after .
ross-continent train ride.
After the wedding Gen. Pershing
came to Walter Reed Hospital for
what was described as . thorough
check-up. He has been undergoing
series Of examinations to determine
whether his recent attack left him with
any serious impairments.
Meanwhile the general Of the armies
occupies himself with motor rides,
short strolls. reading and chats with
q few friends. His aide, Capt. George
e. Adamson, visits him every afternoon,
but this conference is more social than
business, as Gen. Pershing has greatly
reduced his official activities In the last
several years.
Spends Much Time Abroad.
His chief occupation since retire.
ment from active service has been
the supervision of the erection of
American war monuments on World
War backgrounds. As head Of the
American Battle Monuments Com
mission, he has spent much time In
Europe. The last of these memorials
has been dedicated, however, and there
remains little else to do but to MAIN
tain and inspect them. It is known
the general for some time has been
looking forward to making = general
inspection of the monuments, but no
definite steps to carry out this wish
can be taken until his physicians give
the word.
Despite his natural restlessness, Gen.
Pershing is finding life very pleasant
at the shaded, handicapped military hos
pital near Rock Creek Park, with its
convenient motor driveways. So far
he has confined his walks to hospital
corridors and porches, but later he
may extend them into the open.
He enjoys reading newspapers and
magazines. He prefers books Of the
biographical variety.
And, speaking Of books. he wants to
finish the story Of his life on which
he has been working sporadically for
several years. This autobiography will
cover his career from boyhood days
In Missouri to the World War period.
His experiences in the World War al
ready have been related in . two
volume work completed in 1881.
Gen. Pershing will be u ON Septem-
Der 13, next.
tcopyright. 1898. By the North American
Newspaper Alliance, Ine.)