New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-06
ARMY EXPECTS LONG STAY
Officials Prepared to Meet Any
Emergency on Mexican Border.
Iron Th. rIlhune Bureau

Washington, May 5.-The military au-
thorities are convinced that the Mexican
situation is increasing IL acuteness The
information derived from representatives, IN
that country and the army officers at Il
Paso and other points along the border has
aroused the keenest interest. This is not
merely because OF any immediate emergency
having 10 DO with the present negotiations
between Tire insurgents and the Daz gov
ernment, bat takes into account the prob
able situation for the next year or two.
There is we'll defined impression among
officers who. should know something OF the
state of affairs in Mexico that, regardless
OF the negotiations OF peace. there Is des-
tined to be protracted period OF unrest
and more or less unfrendly activity on the
Fart Of those who are dissatisfied with the
Mexican administration. II is surnised
that this dissatisfaction will prevail, no
matter who may be in contro! of the Next
can capital. and it is for this reason that
the War Department is making its plans for
an indefinite surveillance on the part or
the army along the Rio Grande, with the
maintenance of military force In Texas
Of sufficient numerical strength to meet as
nearly as may be the demands which may
suddenly arise IN Mexico for the protection
Of American and European property and
persons.
No one IL the War Department who has
given any study to the situation conceals
the fact that the greatest apprehension
exists concerning what may become neces-
sary in the way Of future military move
ments. The situation is now sufficiently
serious 70 demand the utmost vigilance 70
defeat the purposes Of those who would
violate the neutrality laws to aid the Next
can insurgents. II will be much more
serious-indeed. much more than most con-
servative army officers care to discuss--if
1t should become necessary 70 send mill
tary force into Mexico. where the sentiment
among both rebels and regulars is intensely
aDti-American. and where there is every
reason 70 expect formidable resistance to
such an invasion, no matter what may be
its object. One estimate. as has been stated
in these dispatches. places the effective
fighting force for such contingency al not
less than 100000 men No one has Yet un-
dertaken to make an approximate estimate
Of the cost in the way Of extra supplies,
protection OF the line of advance, establish
ment of bases and reinforcement OF troops,
should il become necessary TO 60 across the
Rio Grande in the interest Of peace in
Mexico
IN the mean tine the army officers In
Texas. OF whom there are about nine hun
dred. are receiving instructions from Wash
ipgton Tor their guidance in the steps nsces-
sary 10 take 70 prevent the violation Of
the neutrality laws. For the present there
are about 300 troops distributed along the
border, and they can he augmented at anv
time frcm the force 0, between 1900 and
ls 90 in the mannuvre division at San An
tonic ard the artillery brigade at Galveston.
There are In round numbers close to 5000
troops in Texas, about One-fourth OF whom
are raw recruits. This command Will be
useful only IN preventing shipments OF
arms and ammunition across the border -
those in rebellion against the government
1t would furnish nowhere near enough
troops to do anything If II became neces-
sary 10 cross the Mexican line.
Officers Proceeding Cautiously.
The army officers In command Of the de.
tachmerts along the Rio Gran6e are ap-
rarently proceeding with caution. with an
appreciation OF the delicate position in
which they find themselves Some Of them
involved in action taken IN the civil courts
for q mistake made in interference with
individuals All sorts Of measures are re-
sorted 10. according to the reports received
here, in order to cmbarrsss the officers en-
gagged in preventing violations Of the neu-
trality laws II there were Visible Or
ganization. with its members armng them
selves. IT would not be difficult matter
to identify the proceeding as one calling
for arrest Of persons and confscstion OF
weapons But phase OF the situation
which calls for discrimination and judg-
ment has II do with the practice Of small
gatherings OF men who d. not appear to
have any organization and whose arms
are not always Ia sight This has led the
War Department 70 formulate general
rule which will he useful where doubt pre-
walls as 10 the extent 10 which force may
be used. One of the questions relates to
the extremity 70 which tho army may 20
II ra RnGs a ,,ort The position Ct the
the following terms as communicated to
Major General William II Carter. who is
in general command Of all the troops IL
Texas:
Any combination Of men organized and
provided with means within the TERRITORY
or jurisdiction Of the United States to 90
70 4 foreign country with the cove rnmcnt
Of which the United states is 1T peace for
the purpose OF making war on that gov
eminent is military expedition within the
meaning Ct the statutes. The number OF
men in the combination is not necessarily
decisive. Three or more would be sufi-
cient, others necessarily being present.
The organization need not be efficient and
complete. Submission by common consent
TO the will and direction Of one or more
leaders is sufficient The means Of making
war with which the combination has been
provided need not be adequate or IN the
personal possession Of the men. II IS suffi-
cient II such means are adapted 10 the pur-
pose Of making war and have been pro.
Iided for the use Of the men when occasion
The purpose 81 the neutrality laws is
to prevent complications between this gov
ernnent end foreign powers. No doubt one
by special enactment the use or the land
ard naval forces OF tho nited states in
enforcing the neutrality laws was the high
obligation resting upon this government 10
rre"ent American soil from being used 2
recruiting ground and base OF opera
tons against government with which we
ere az peace The statute confers pre-
ventive powers as well as providing penal
ties for those who violate the Law These
facts suggest that. the President havln5
authorized the employment Of military
force IN the execution OF the neutrality
laws such force may. as circumstances
make u necessary, be brought into play 20
us fullest extent, not ONLY 10 arrest offend
ers for what they have done on American
soil. but also 10 prevent unlawful expedi-
tons from crossing an International boun-
darv line with hostile intent.
TIE fact that the state in which federal
military force may be employed for the
purpose IN question Is under civil lurisdlc.
non and not under martial law will not Of
Itself render illegal the use OF such force.
The law 10 be executed Is a federal law.
and the employment Of the agency under
confederation has been authorized By the
same Law. SO long, therefore. as the fed
eral agency does not unnecessarily resort
tc the use OF force dangerous 10 life and
limb in executing the law in question. that
iaw VIII serve as a protection against liza
hiltv attempted 10 be IN force In either
federal or a state court.
In carrying out the provisions OF the
rn,,trality laMs. q MILITARY netachment NAV