Daily Kennebec journal., 1911-03-10

The spectacle oil -eV"V Aiiieii''"
troops rushing to the Mexican border
reminds us that it takes less time 10
create war OF, perhaps, to unmake
,pne, than it did in the days when
sam Houston was hurrying to the
relief of Fort Alamo at San Antonio.
How vividly the reports which came
10 US long after stand out in memory
of the so brave men who held out
before the COCO followers of Santa
Anna Among these heroes were
Davy Crockett. Col. Travis and jim
Bowie. who fought to the last and
were slaughtered by the relentless
followers OF the Mexican leader. Sam
Houston came too late; the slaughter
was over. but since his arrival the
McxHans have respected the border
line.
Now Uncle Sam is hurryinS an
army down to the border for pur-
poses of instruction" only. and as an
assurance to Mexicans and TO others
who may, s looking on that in spite
of the unnrcparedness OF which Hob
son anV others talk your Uncle Samuel
could do quite Il respectable chore at
iIrlrg out ructious enemy.
The movement Of troops TO San An
tonic is said TO be for the purpose OF
field training of officers and men and
of holding mancuvcrs involving pos
siblc operations at Galveston. where
q. force Of three regiments will be as
S"nnbird for defence On the Pacific
coast the mobilization will involve a
brigaH of infantry in the Los Angeles
district for the purpose Of defending
san Diego and San Pedro against a
possible attack of the navy. OF
course the mobilization Of these tloups
viii furnish an excellent opportunity
for tle Instruction of number Of
schtcr officers in the elements Of high
er command, 1t will also put to- a
practical test the preparedness of the
staff department.
So much for the explanation Of the
unexpected order for the mobilization
OF Onc-third of the standing army of
the United States. But with it there
is an element of mystery which
aTOuses the suspicious Of the general
public. There Is a hint of pressure
from abroad because foreign interests
are now mcnaced in the Mexican re-
public by the revolution which seems
10 be growing and spreading ever.
day. The United States, also, hai
huge investments in Mexico. 1t is esti
Ihated that s1,500,000,00 in American
capital is now distributed within tn
domain of President Diaz. There ar
few lines Of industry in Mexico int
which this vast investment has no
worked its way. Therefore it is no
surprising that the United State.
should be ready to intervene to pre-
vent reign Of anarchy. 1t has becI
runored in Washinston-but of course
without foundation that Grea'
Britain and France have limited thai
1t might be necessary TO override the
Munroe doctrine. If interests are not
protected in the republic TO the south
Of us,
Probably il will not be necessary
for the United States to intervene, bu
should American or other investment
OF the lives Of foreigners be menacet
in Mexico. there is no doubt that the
strong hand of Uncle sam will be i'm
mediately felt as a regulator Of con.
ditions.
Little real information can be. glcan-
ed from the reports Of the progress OF
the insurrection. but the government
soems to have lost ground, or at least
not 10 have followed up some Of tn.
advantages which IL has claimed