Now
advancement was to follow with a startling jump.
It all hinged upon that luncheon with Roosevelt, about which we have
already told, and the fact that Roosevelt had a characteristic way of
doing things. The step he now took was not a piece of favoritism
toward Pershing--it arose from a desire to have the most efficient men
at the head of the army.
Pershing was nominated for Brigadier General, and the nomination was
confirmed. Of course it created a tremendous sensation in army
circles. The President, by his action, had "jumped" the new General
eight hundred and sixty-two orders.
On his return to the Philippines, as Governor of the Moro Province, he
performed an invaluable service in bringing peace to this troubled
district. He accomplished this, partly by force of arms, partly by
persuasion. The little brown men found in this big Americano a man
with whom they could not trifle, and also one on whose word they could
rely.
It was not until 1914 that he was recalled from the Philippines, and
then very shortly was sent across the Mexican border in the pursuit of
Villa. It would seem as though this strong soldier was to have no
rest--that his muscles were to be kept constantly inured to
hardship--so that, in the event of a greater call to arms, here would
be one commander trained to the minute.
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