e 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.

The Fates had indeed been shaping Pershing from boyhood for a supreme
task. Each step had been along the path to a definite goal.

The punitive expedition into Mexico was a case in point. It was a
thankless job at best, and full of hardship and danger. A day's march
of thirty miles across an alkali desert, under a blazing sun, is hardly
a pleasure jaunt. And there were many such during those troubled
months of 1916.

Then, one day, came a quiet message from Washington, asking General
Pershing to report to the President. The results of that interview
were momentous. The Great War in Europe was demanding the intervention
of America. Our troops were to be sent across the seas to Europe for
the first time in history. The Government needed a man upon whom it
could absolutely rely to be Commander-in-chief of the Expeditionary
Forces. Would General Pershing hold himself in readiness for this
supreme task?

The veteran of thirty years of constant campaigning stiffened to
attention. The eager look of battle--battle for the right--shone in
his eye. Every line of his upstanding figure denoted confidence--a
confidence that was to inspire all America, and then the world itself,
in this choice of leader. He saluted.

"I will do my duty, sir," he said.