Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-08-13
THE STRENGTH OF MEXICO
And Central Emerica-Results Of War
With Them.

To the Editor Of tine Easie.
We often see Mexico referred to by oul
press as an Insignificant power. We speak
of a war with her since the occurring OF
the Cutting and Kassures affairs, as a mere
walk over for US. Believing that such ideas
are erroneous / compile and compare the
following facts:
Mexico has an area of al ,59S square
miles. Its population in 1877 was $3.50,
46l. There are twenty-scven states, the
territory of Lower California and the Fed
cral district. The regular army consists of
about %, 900 men well armed 1t is largely
recruited from the various public prisons.
The navy consists of half a dozen insigniii
cant gun-boats.
There are five republics to the
south of Mexico which would
most likely take part in war for the de
Tense of that republic against foreign ag-
erosion The relations between Mexico
and these Central American republics have
been becoming closer and more friendly
since the outrageous usurpatiOn of the ad-
vcnturcr Macmillan OF these republics
Costa Rica has an area of 81 ,495 miles; a
population of POO, 900, Of which 20, 900 are
an organized militia between 10 and 80
years of age Guatemala has an area of
A, 800 square miles; a population in 1872
of of 1,197,0 J4, of witch $50 Cos were
whites and $50, l46 Indians. The regular
army consists of 1900 well armed men
Honduras has an area Of IS, 16S square
miles population 376,4 1t has well
appointed regular force of 1900 men.
Nicaragua has an area of 6S, 600 square
miles; population 100000. Ii has ma
ped of 4 coo men san Salvador has an
area of 1926 square miles, population 500,
900. 1t has 900 well organized and armed
soldiers.
1t will be seen. then. that the proposed
confederation Of Mexico and the five Cen
trail American republics can oppose to any
attacking power a territory Of 93l ,211
square miles. "A population Of II, 962 1925
people, homogeneous in race, language, re
ligion and climate. They have an armed,
disciplined and equipped force. ready for
the field
The southern states which seeded in
1861, had an area of 500, .9l square miles,
and population Of both white and black
and Unionists of $40, 09S in round mum
bcrs. These states offered the finest facil-
tiles for invasion through their great navi-
gable rivers, bays and inlets; the homo
gcncousness of language, and the aid every
where available from Unionisis and negroes
Then their railways ran to all important
points through plenty of timber for repair
ing all destructable parts And
many Of the officers of the Union
army Were the contractors who had
ctually built the southern railways. OF
the slave holding states which did not Sc
cede the union army got 30l ,062 white and
II, lS4 negro soldiers; of those states which
did scccde 81, IL; white and 63,5,l negro
soldiers did valiant service for the union.
Besides Generals Thomas, Newton, Sykes,
Nelson and other fine professional soldiers
Of the south led union forces; several
naval officers, chief of whom was Farra-
gut, Were from the south also.
If the south with, say 5000 900 people.
could furnish over 300, 900 soldiers and Il
union, and then. encountered with its
great remaining slave population, prolong
he war four years and make il cost So
300. 00o. 900, in opposition to the remaining
population of the nation of % .000. 900 pco |
pie. we can hardly expect very light COS,
rom an invasion of Mexica, We should |
ave have to pay for such Il war at least
$500 900 coo and 10000 men Mexico |
laS long line of sea coast on the Pacific |
md gulf There are few good harbors, no |
lavigable rivers. England, Spain and Ger |
many, would furnish them war material in |
rade. We could not prevent such mater |
al from entering Mexican territory alto |
ycther Her country is tropical. sickly |
or northern soldiers: and extremely noun /
ainous and defensible. Her population is
more united now than ever before.
OF the consequences of a war between
Mexico and the United States politically |
hey would be far reaching: and disastrous
o our country most likely. A war would
Ne SO stubbornly contested by Mexico that
probational occupation contingent upon
,ayment Of a war indemnity would through
powerful influences in both countries re
ult, possibly, in annexation. With annex
tion would come SiXtyfou senators and
like l5o representatives in our
congress. If We took in Central America
here would he ten senators more and some
orty representatives. together with say
oWi. 900 people speaking Spanish And
II faithful adhcrentS 10 the only Christian
hurch which cmbodics within its organi-
alton everywhere both political and relig
1us power under leaders skilled in domes
lc politics ana international diplomacy
Idd this population 10 the strength Of their
reihcran already citizens of our country;
4 the Latin horieS but fall under the able
nj aggressive leadership Of the Anglo and
elite Americans, and we shall have virile
actor introduced into cur national charac-
r thai will work political wonders in short
rler. W +. H.