nd appeal to
his followers. It may be because of this trait that Rowland Thomas and
others have described General Pershing as "the most brilliant and most
dependable general officer in our army."

Like many men who are large, physically as well as mentally, he has
almost infinite patience. This quality too is so closely linked to
self-control that at times it is difficult to distinguish between them.
Confidence and self-possession are the foundation stones upon which
patience rests. It is the man sure neither of himself nor of the goal he
seeks nor of the cause for which he fights who becomes impatient. Was
promotion delayed? Then he must wait with patience, first making himself
fit to be promoted or doing his work in a manner that would compel
recognition. Had the Moros for three centuries successfully resisted
every attempt to subjugate them? Then his campaign must be so conducted
that the little brown people must be made to see that the United States
was seeking to help as well as to subdue. Had Germany for more than
forty years been preparing armies to overthrow civilization and dominate
the world? Then, "Germany can be beaten, Germany must be beaten, Germany
will be beaten," is the quiet statement of the American Commander,
because, having confidence in the cause for which he is fighting and
faith in his fighters, he can be patient. With the end in view, there
must be no hasty or impatient activity which might lead to disaster.

[Illustration: General Foch and General Pershing.]

One distinguished writer on military topics has called him the American
Kitchener, because of his ability as an organizer. Points of resemblance
there may be and doubtless are, and these are not limited to any one
man, British or American, but the people of the United States are well
content to take him as he is. If comparisons are to be made then the
resemblance should be based upon the fact that the party to which
reference is made is "like Pershing," not because General Pershing is
like another.

It is a marvelous time in the history of the world and the times require
men equal to the demand. Nearly four years of the war passed and up to
that time the hearts of many were heavy because no one outstanding
figure had appeared. The unspoken call was for a leader. Great men, good
men and many of them were in evidence, but the Napoleonic leader had not
appeared.

Then upon the insistence of the President of the United States a supreme
c