nducted under proper
regulations and under official supervision this
feature formerly served as a means to furnish
soldiers with a club of their own and save many
from the grog shops and the brothels. The
reestablishment of that part of the exchange would
go far to reduce desertion, venereal diseases and
alcoholism among our troops."

In 1914 General Pershing was recalled from the Philippine Islands.

His work and that of General Funston was now fully recognized by his
countrymen. Peace had come in the Philippines and the victorious leaders
had been successful not only with their enemies, but also in winning the
confidence of most of the tribes they conquered. It is said there was no
man in the islands who was more deeply respected and loved by the
natives than was General Pershing. They were fearful of him, also,
because they knew that he would do exactly what he said he would do.
Strict with offenders against the laws, he was at the same time gentle
and friendly to the deserving, and it was not long before all were aware
that he was working not for conquest or for the glory of his nation, but
to help his country solve one of the most difficult problems left by the
Spanish War. That problem was to reconstruct and reorganize the life
among the Filipinos in such a way that they themselves should be helped
and not hurt by the plan. When General Pershing returned to America,
hope was strong that not many years would elapse before the little brown
men would be able to care for themselves and be recognized as an
independent nation.

For a brief time he was stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco,
California, but soon afterward was placed in command of the southwestern
division, along the Mexican border. It was while he was stationed there
in command of a scant and greatly extended line, which required constant
change on his own part in order to keep in touch with the various
elements in his command, that the great tragedy of the death of his
wife and three little daughters occurred.

On August 27, 1915, while he was in command at El Paso, word came to him
over the telephone of the awful fire in the Presidio at San Francisco,
where his family, then consisting of his wife, three little daughters
and a little son, were residing in his enforced absence. Of these, all
except Warren, the little boy, perished in the fire, a maid having
succeeded in rescui