Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1911-06-03

campaigners are worried lest by NOT
reenlisting they have lost an oppor.
tunity to get under fire.
If the parade grounds on which the
troops are now encamped are not
large enough the maneuver grounds at
Leon Springs, about twenty miles.
from this city, will be used. This
mobilization has impressed upon the
officers and the war department the
urgent need for having larger accom-
modations for the troops at this point.
Already arrangements have been
made for the construction of addition
al barracks and further arrangements.
of similar nature will be made soon.
San Antonio looms up as the strategic
point Of greatest Importance for the
mobilization of American troops in the
event of trouble anywhere in Latin
America, and 1t must for all time in
the future be possible to mass the en-
tire strength of the United States
army here. That, at least, is the opin-
ion Of many army men.
The troops from along the Canadian
border astounded native San An
tonians by their utter disregard for
the fitful north breezes, which occa-
sionally bring the temperature down
to so or 60. Most of the time tho
temperature stays about 20, and for a
few days before the recent rain 1t was
between so and 80.
Troop trains which came through
Texas were queer-looking arrange
ments. There were cattle cars for
the horses, box cars for the artillery
and equipage and Pullman cars for
the men. The three kinds were
grouped in many of the trains. One
serious mistake of the Spanish-Amer-
lean war was repeated. The caissons
of the artillery companies were
packed in one section of a train and
the guns in another. Hence, when
the first section arrived the contents
might be unloaded, but couldn't be,
moved off until the second section
came in. In some instances har-
ness was packed in the cars of one
section, while the horses were in an
other But, on the whole, the move
ment has been successful. 1t is espe-
/
have been handled from various parts
of the United States with great speed
They have received the right of way
over everything else, and not an acct
dent has occurred.
A little city has been built up
around Fort Sam Houston. Saloons,
dance halls, billiard rooms have
sprung up over night. Property has
advanced about 1000 per cent in value
and what would have bought the land
a few weeks ago will not now pay
rent for year on it.
The police were prepared to pre-
vent trouble in the city, as the sol
diers were inclined to have a good
time. There was a tendency toward
animosity between them and Mexican
residents. This was particularly re-
grettahe because thousands of the
'Mexicans" were born in this city.
and have never been across the line.
them do not speak Spanish.
By no means an unimportant part
of arranging for the troops was to in
crease the post Office facilities. Clerks
and inspectors were rushed from
every part Of this department, the To-
cal office was spread out into tenn
porary quarters, and the mail was
handled without delay.
Pontoon bridges and engineering
impedimenta remained on the cars
ready for quick movement. Hundreds
Of the cars brought here were not
taken away. Many OF the bids accept
ed by the quarternaster department
called for the delivery of goods on
board trains, and not at Fort Sam
Houston. That meant that the sup
plea were ready for shipment to the
soldiers who were being rushed to
border points. This army Of 10000
men has been divided. Ten thousand
men remained in San Antonio and
10000 went to tho border and formed
a wall from FL Paso to Brownsville.
Troops did not arrive as rapidly
as scheduled, in spite Of the well-laid
plans in the once of the war depart
ment In Washington. Military men
say this movement again demon
strates the fallacy Of scattering the
troops In small posts throughout the
country. The prospect for trouble, I'M
certain as 1t is, has caused enlistments
to increase enormously, and scores Of
newly-recruited troops have come
with the veterans
1t Is an interesting group of men
gathered in San Antonio. There are
soldiers who have seen service in the
Philippines, Cuba, China and Alaska,
and won distinction for bravery, and
there are men here who fought Indi-
ans in Texas Il quarter of a century