Evening star., 1940-09-14
Pershing, Fit al 80,
Goes on Air 10 Warn
U. 5. Is in Danger

SeHeTOI OF tHe Armies
Decorated by Roosevelt
For Bravery in Philippines
Gen. John ]. Pershing settled
back to routine duties in his old
fashioned Office in the State Depart
ment this morning after his 80th
birthday yesterday had beer marked
by decoration for bravery by Presi-
dent Roosevelt, a radio address,
press conference and hundreds OF
messages of congratulation. includ-
ing one from Marshal Petain, head
of the French government
The only living officer in the
United States whose title is General
of the Armies was awarded the Dis
tinguished Service Cross by Presi-
dent Roosevelt for taking personal
command of a dangerous assault 81
years ago in the Philippine Islands.
Believes British Will Hold.
After warning over the radio that
this country is in imminent dam
ger of war, he told his press confer
ence that he thought the British
would be able to hold out against
Hitler.
Asked what he thought of the
fight the English are putting up, he
declared: L think they're living up
pretty we'll to the British reputa ton
10Y stability"
He was cautious, however, when
asked what America might do to aid
the English, first replying Il could
think Of a good many things"
Anything short of WARP" he was
asked again.
Il wouldn't like to answer that
without giving it some considera-
ton"
Ill Several Years Ago.
Gen. Pershing, who was so i'll
several years ago that his death
was expected hourly, said that he
feels as well at 80 as he did at so,
and that person doesn't really
change much"
CASTOR Henry Haye, the French
Ambassador, delivered a personal
message from Marshal Petain to the
A. E. F. commander and also greet
ings from the city of Versailles,
where stands a monument to Gen.
Pershing.
THE Danger Is Imminent
twenty-five years ago" Gen.
Pershing said in his radio broad
cast, none of us dreamed that the
calamity of war would come again
to the world so soon and in such
hideous and devastating form. But
We must face the facts of today.
Their warning call to America is
shrill and imperative. The danger
is imminent.
The call comes not only to us
who fought in the World War and
TO those who stood ready. but 1t
comes to every patriotic citizen liv-
ing under the protection of our
great Government. To meet it, we
must pledge ourselves anew to full
fill our obligations to the Narion
and again avow eternal devotion
to the principles of liberty and
justice upon which this Nation
rests
The Distinguished Service Cross
was presented by the Chief Execu-
tive just after the regular Friday
cabinet meeting and in the presence
of members of the cabinet. Before
reading the citation Mr.. Roosevelt
remarked that this award was the
only honor the famed general had
not received.
John j. Pershing General of the
Armies Of the United States, retired.
then brigadier general. United
States Army" the citation read.
For extraordinary heroism in action
against hostile, fanatical Moros at
Mount Bagsak, Jolo. Philippine Is
lands, on June Is, 1918 He person.
ally assumed command of the as
saulting line at the most critical
period when only about IS yards
from the last Moro position. His
encouragement and splendid ex-
ample of personal heroism resulted
in general advance and the prompt
capture of the hostile stronghold"
Refused the Honor in 1922.
Gen. Pershing refused the same
honor in 1922 when he was quoted
as saying he did not consider his
action measuring up to the high
standard set in the American Expe-
dictionary Force
Marshal Petain asserted in his
message:
MY thoughts often go to you. 1t
seems to me that if / am more
fervently fond of the United States.
1t is because of you.
circumstances have made me
head of the state. I have accepted
that responsibility through a sense
OF duty but my task is difficult and
often painful; it has made me a
prisoner to duty. Fortunately, my
health remains good, thanks to con-
slant precautions.
Your own health. my dear friend,
is now restored and it is with that
knowledge that I send you, on the
occasion of your anniversary, a mes
sage of deep affection and loyal de-
votion"