The Washington herald., 1911-03-11

San Antonio, March 10-That the pres
ent movement of the troops OF the United
States to San Antonio has demonstrated
that the army is not as mobile as
claimed and that in case of an emergency
the army could not be handled with that
swiftness which is absolutely necessary
if the country is to be protected is ad-
.mitted by every officer now here who will
talk.
Seventy-two hours have ELAPSED since
the order was issued to mass the army
on the Mexican border and there is only
one regiment here. 1t will be tomorrow
night before Shything like the main body
of troops arrives 1t took the Seven
teenth Infantry, which arrived here last
night, more than forty-three train hours
to cover 1.4OO miles. In case of an emer-
gency that would have been fatal to all
plans.
1t IS claimed by the officers that if
the present maneuvers teach the General
Staff no more than this, the money has
been well spent. 1t is claimed that SO
far every movement has proved that the
United States army has no definite or
ganization which can handle it with that
swiftness which is one Of the great fac
tors in times of war.
why the Ball Cartridgess
The next great question of interest Is
why were ball cartridges issued to en-
listed men if the present maneuvers were
Intended as only a military play?'
II is on the lips of every officer in
Camp Sam Houston. In doing this all
precedents for maneuvers have been
broken in this country and in Europe.
To send out men to engage in sham
battles, every one with a full belt of
steel-jacketed cartridges. IS admitted to
he most peculiar. as well as most dan
Eerous operation. Usually before SOL
CierS, either regular Or volunteer, are
Permitted to proceed to a maneuver
camp each is searched carefully by
trusted man to see that there is no pos
sibe chance to have any ammunition
other than blank. Every cartridge is
carefully inspected. Severe punishment
Is meted out to any man found with a
steel bullet cartridge in his possession.
Carloads of Ammunition.
Not only did the soldiers come with
belts full. but there arrived in San An
tonic four special baggage cars of am
nunition. One of these cars was rushed
TO the border to supply the TROOPS now
stationed there. The guard over the
urmory has been largely increased.
The strain has been trying to the Off
GERS. After having no sleep for forty
eight hours, Gen. Joseph W. Duncan,
commander OF the Department of Texas,
relinquished command long enough to-
day to get a much-needed. rest
All interest now centers in the coming
of Maj. Gen. Carter, who will arrive early
tomorrow morning. No new troops ar
rived to-day. but there will be seventy
five troop trains into San Antonio to-
morrow and tomorrow night Sundays
sun will rise on at least 1900 men in
camp. The rest will reach here before
night Sunday.
Prepare for ManeuYers.
Despite the war talk. preparations are
being made for the mimic attack on Gal
weston. The officers engaged in making
progressive military maps have been
called out, and are laying out the pro-
posed route. Those working along the
Mexican border have also been called in,
which leads some to believe that when
The soldiers leave here they will march
not to Galveston. but to Mexico.
1t is known that Mexico has a num-
bel Of spies in San Antonio, and that
they have been keeping in close touch
with the military operations and re-
porting all movements to Mexico. As
the demonstration has been termed one
OF peace, these men arc not being dis
turb"G.
The soldiers have manifested such
great dLstrust of the MeNicans who are
employed as teamsters and in laying the
water pipes to the camp that the threats
mad" against them nave caused many TO
refuse to continue the work
Brig Gen. F. a. Smith. commander of
the Department Of the Missouri. arrived
to-day from Omaha, Nebr. accompanied
by Col. Daniel Mccarthy, chief quarter
master OF the department. He will take
COmmand at once of the First Brigade.
composed of the Eleventh. Fifteenth. and
Eighteenth Regiments.