The Washington times., 1911-03-08
MOBILIZATION GOOD
FOR THE COUNTRY
Representative McLachlan
Says Movement of Troops
Will Prove Strength.
WAR EXPERT GIVES
SIMILAR VIEWS
H. L. Clotworthy Says Many
Mooted Questions Will
Be Solved.

Whatever the rea son for calling to-
sether 20W0 troops, the mobilization N
Texas is one of the best things that
ever happened TO this nation
This was the statement made today
by Representative McLachlan of Cali
fornfa, who two days before Congress
adjourned introduced in the House a
bill asking for a yearly series OF ma
neuvers that would take on the aspect
Of real war.
Il have no idea" the Representative
declared, that any immediate trouble
with Mexico is expected. But whether
anticipated hostilities there or a mere
experiment Is the real cause for the
sudden move its effects will be the
same
The mobilization will prove our real
strength-or weakness. ! have but on"
urgent plea, that General Wood he
frank, when the maneuvers are COM
pleted in stating our weaknesses"
The end of what he called a molly
Coddle policy" of dealing with the nd
tion's soldiers is seen by Representative
McI.achlan in the present move.
Respects the Soldier.
Il have the highest respect for the
soldier as an individual, and I never
wish to aim unjust criticism at him.
The blame for outlining policy de-
signed to make mOllycoddles of our SOL
diers lies not with him. nor yet with
the War Department. It lies at the
doors of Congress"
Sensational charges regarding the re-
sponsibinty for scattering troops at va
rious army posts were made by Repre-
sentative MCLaChlan.
Regiments will assemble in Texass
he said, "of which various companies
have been separated for two years or
more What can be accomplished in the
way of organization under such con-
ditions as these? For this condition
members of Congress are responsible.
II am not chortling in glee at this oc-
Casion for showing up the weaknesses
Of our fighting force. l only hope no
inherent weakness will be displayed
But If the ammunition. food and general
supply provisions prove inadequate in
this emergency it will show where this
nation stands in case war broke out.
And 1t will give an excellent line on the
manner Of correcting these evils"
Views of War Expert.
strikingIy similar TO the views Of
Representative MCIyaChlan are those OF
H /. CIotworthy, war expert, who
starts this afternoon for Texas, where
ne will make a thorough examination Of
the situation on his own account.
NO one can tell al this junCture
whether the mobilization means war.
II anything happens TO Diaz IT Is my
opinion from observation in Mexico that
insurrection will break forth in every
Mexican state at once. In such an
event troops would be needed" Mr..
Clotworthy said.
This occasion marks the first time
IN the history of this nation that so
many s q. .0O0 troops have been brought
together. The mobilization will solve
many mooted questions.
IF this should strain the resources OF
the supply and ammunition sources,
what would happen in case of a real
war? II should be remembered that this
mobiliza tion practically strips this coun-
try Of it's fighting force. That could not
be done in case of war. Even the coast
artillery has been pressed into service
under unusual conditions.
There will be many interesting de
tails to the maneuvers, such as the
work of the Medical Corps and other
branches of the service. The selection
Of Texas. whether OF necessity or 81
choice, is good one. or course, II
would be even harder to assemble sue
a force on the Pacific coast.