Arizona republican., 1911-05-11
PHOENIX. ARIZONA, MAY II. 1911.

Seriously as the president, the con
gress, and the American people may
consider the ACCESSIBILITY of interven-
ing to put an end TO the war in Mex
leo, it is extremely unlikely that there
VIII be Intervention.
Sober common sense will reckon the
consequence and cost of intervening
before proceeding to such a grave
step.
Intervention in Mexico would bear
no comparison, as to cost and conse-
quences, with our Intervention to re-
store order in Cuba three years ago.
Although such solution would not
be practicable, Of course. il would, as
a matter Of fact. be cheaper in dollars
and cents to wait until the end of the
civil war and then compensate all
Americans fully for loss and damages
sustained in that country during the
trouble, than to intervene with our
military arm-infinitely cheaper, even
though American losses run into nun
dreds OF millions
Intervention would mean war with
the Mexican people. In all probability
both sides would unite TO fight the
United States. At any rate. interven-
ton would mean war-a prolonged
war.
Fully generation ago, General Phil
Sheridan, after travelling through
Mexico. expressed it as his opinion
that in the event of a war between
this country and the southern republic.
we should need to send an army of
at least two hundred thousand men
into Mexico and prepare for a war Of
years.
The deliberate judgment Of Sheridan
is approved by our army officers Of
today, except as to the number of
troops necessary to assure the subju-
cation of modern Mexico-they think
three hundred thousand troops would
be required. Probably they are right,
for since Sheridan's visit Mexico has
grown into a great nation, and the
people are intensely patriotic
Mexico has an area of $4,000 square
miles, and if the United States We're
TO invade that country it would be
necessary to send troops into every
section. The difficulty Of maintaining
lines Of communication with our bases
of supplies would of itself be enormous
and would call for more soldiers for
such purpose alone than we now have
in our whole available army.
Our regular army would form only |
mere nucleus for the army actually |
required to make successful war of |
invasion.
Eighty thousand soldiers comprise
the armed strength of the United |
States. OF this number, we have 1900 |
in the Philippines and other island |
possessions. There are 10000 in the
coast artillery and defense division.
and it would not be practicable to
withdraw them for foreign service |
This would leave only 5000 soldiers |
available for duty in Mexico Accord
ing to the army experts, it would take |
at least six months to lick into shape |
the national guard and the volunteers
before an active campaign could be
begun with them.
The financial cost of an armed in
vasion of Mexico would, in short, be
appalling. not to speak of the cost in
American lives. Much Of Mexico is
and to send our soldiers
into that country on a prolonged cam
paign would result in thousands of
deaths from disease.
Nor is that all After we had con-
luered Mexico, what would we do witt
it? We would have upon our hands
the biggest white elephant any nation
ever acquired.
This country is especially fortunate
at this juncture that William II. Taft.
instead of Senator William Joel Stone
Or some other hot headed politician. is
president.