Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-08-02
WILL WE HAVE WAR?

WILL WE HAVE WAR?
The Indications Pointing to a Rupture Of
Friendly Relations fifth Me.rtco-The
Pr0spects Ola War of Conquest.
[Washengtoh Gully 2o) Special to Chicago
Times.l
The Mexican question has been the chief |
topic discussed by the president and cabinet
during the past few weeks, and it is gravely
stated by persons who pretend to know what !
is going on, and who are interested in from |
tier affairs, that war with the sister repub-
lie is seriously contemplated.
Under the present conditions, it will read |
lily be seen that there will be no difficulty in
bringing on war if Mr.. Hayes is SO dis
posed. All that will have to be done will be to
send force across the Rio Grande, upon
the first pretext that offers, with instructions
not to retire or give way before Mexican
troups. In such case collision would in
evitanly occur, and the war with Mexico
would be an accomplished fact. With the
brilliant results of the war with the same
nation in 1916 still fresh in the minds of the
people of this country, and the stories of
border outrages which have been published
SO extensively in the newspapers during the
past few years, there is no fear this war
would not be popular one. The thousands
of idle men throughout the land would well
come it with Joy, and the noble army of con-
tractors and spectators would be delighted at
AN opportunity to serve their country and
fill their Golfers at the same time. All con-
nected with the transportation interests of
the country, either by land or water, would
favor it, for they would see prospect of an
immediate increase of business that would
60 far to aid in paying dividends on their
stocks and bonds which the present financial
crisis does not seem to promise. Indeed
there is hardly an industry in the country
that would not see opportunities for an ex-
tension of trade and corresponding rise in
prices and an increase of profits.
| But the conquest of Mexico to-day would
| not be SO easily accomplished as it was in
1916. Since that time great changes have
taken place, both in the United States and
Mexico. In the war of 1876 the Mexicans
were, perhaps, as poorly armed as any civil
lied n ttlon that ever entered into such
conflict. Their guns were not only of the
poorest description, but their powder was 80
bad as to render them harmless except at the
shortest ranges. The arms of the American
troops were immeasurably superior, still.
they made a desperate resistance,as is proven
l
on both sides, in proportion, than in the
war of the Crimea, which took place ten
years later. Now the case is different.
Since 1916 the Mexicans have served in a
hard school of war, and have learned the art
to advantage. Their soldiers no longer go
into the field, as they did in 1916, armed
with d-fashioned escopettes and blunder-
buses which would not kill man at hun
bred yards, and which were laughed at by
the American soldiers. They are now pro-
vided with arms of precision, all breech-
leaders, mostly OF Remington's make, and
equal to any used by the troops of the United
States. Their many desperate battles with
the French, during the times of Macmillan,
gave them ample opportunity to train then
officers and discipline their men, and to
teach them the use of improved weapons.
Mexico has to-day standing army 10000
to 45 900 men, we'll Differed and disc plined
all of whom have already been under fire
and large number of both officers and men
veterans of the war with the French under
, the empire. This army can b. increased to
, 25O.OOO men. many of them already trained
, t, carry arms, and commanded entirely by
officers who have had more or less experience
, in the field.
IF Mr.. Hayes, therefore, should see fit tt
= provoke war with the Mexican republic tn
! cost to this country in blood and treasure
would be enormous. To invade Mexico will
: any hope of immediate success an ARMY o.
a at least 100000 men Wonld have
to be raised and put in the field at once
The points of attack would be along the lin
> of the Rio Grande; the port of Vera Cruz IL
q the Gulf of Mexico; the California border
and the ports of Mazatlan and Acapulco OF
, the Pacific coast. The expense of trans
porting troops to these points would be yer:
, great. but it would be only q drop in tn
. bucket when compared with the expense o
y keeping up the supplies as the armies ad
= = vanced into the interior. Very little pro
: visions or forage could be obtained in th'
4 invaded country. and the troops would b
: met by determined foe at ever
point and every inch of ground gained woul
have to be obstinately fought for. I'll
. roads through Mexico among the wors
in the world and in many parts of the r.
= public water is very scarce. and only to b
- found at rare intervals, rendering the tram
"a portation of large quantities of supple
!, difficult and hazardous. Wagon teams wou
: not only have to overcome natural obstacle
~ but from the character of the ground wou
4 be exposed to continual attacks by guerrilla
!. The influences of the climate would also
Il against an invading army, and many won
"A succumb to diseases inc dental to the tropic
az brought on by exposure, change of water, al
;, diet, and other kindred causes.
~ Gentlemen who have had experience
% Mexico differ very much in opinion as
70 the probable duration of war of conques
he Some think it would require only two yea
nj for an army of 100000 men to obtain f,
possession of the country, while Others s.
that it would take at least 100000 men al
from three to four years to accomplish
Of course, all agree as to the ultimate resu
,er but there is a difference of opinion as
what would be the course Of the Unit
of States after the conquest was achieved.
:, is said that the states of Tamaulipas, Nue.
~ Leon Coahuila, Chihuahua, Durango, So
ea via, Lower California, and Sinaloa would
On, annexed; but it is also stated that it is
Tx. intention to hold the entire country shot
IAN the war take place. In either case it is {
49, mitted that it would be necessary to ma
no tain large standing army in the annex
de- territory. and should the latter be carried
M to effect it is estimated that this army shol
ger consist of at least $4,000 men.
leo The cost of all this is variously estima1
III. from five hundred to thousand million,
OF dollars, in addition to the lives that wo7
ny be sacrificed.
ng
zen Gli.io's Claims.
Ter Washington Republic.j
80. Altogether it looks very much as if O
80 had the lockwood on the Presidency
~ 1890 Tho R,1clkave DO1ticians have HI