The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-12-07
Taft Explains Why He Sent
Troops to Mexican Border

airy, accompanied with sincere assur-
ances of the utmost good viii toward
the present Mexican government and
with larger and more frequent patrols
along the border to prevent insured
tfonary expeditions from American
soil, will hold up the hands of the ex-
listing government and will have a
healthy moral effect to prevent attacks
upon Americans and their property in
any subsequent internecine strife
Again, the sudden mobilization of
division of troops has been great test
Of our army and full of useful instruc-
ton, while the maneuvers that are
thus made possible can occupy the
troops and their officers to great ad-
vantage.
The assumption by the press that
contemplate intervention on Mexican
soil to protect American lives or prop
erty Is OF course. gratuitous, because I
seriously doubt whether / have such
authority under any circumstances,
and If / had I would not exercise it
without express congressional approx
al. Indeed as you know, I have al
ready declined. without Mexican con-
sent, to order a troop of cavalry to
protect the breakwater we are con-
structing just across the border In
Mexico at the mouth OF the Colorado
river to save the Imperial valley. al
though the insurrectos had scattered
the Mexican troops and were taking
our horses and supplies and frighten-
Ing our workmen away My deter
mined purpose, however, is to be in a
position SO that when danger to Amer
lean lives and property in Mexico
threatens and the existing government
is rendered helpless by the tnsurrec-
ton, can promptly execute congress
sional orders to protect them with eff
feet.
Meantime, I send you this letter
through the secretary. to call your at
tention to some things in connection
with the presence OF the division in the
southwest which have doubtless oc-
CURED ia. you. but which wish to en-
phasize.
In the first place / want to make
the mobilization a first class training
for the army. and wish you would
give your time and that of the war col
lege to advising and carrying out ma
neuvers OF useful character. and to
plan to continue to do this during the
next three months. BY that time we
may expect that either Ambassador
wilson's fears will have been realized
and chaos and it's consequences have
ensued, or that the present governments
OF Mexico win have SO readiusted mat
tiers as to secure tranquiIity-a result
devoutly to be wished. The troons can
then be returned to their posts. / nm
derstood from you in Washington that
General Aleshire said that YOU could
probably meet all the additional ax-
pense OF this whole movement ont az
the present appropriations IL the
troops continue in Texas for three
months. sincerely hope. this Il 60.
observe from the newspapere that
you have no blank cartridges hut 7
presume that this Is an error ar that
y VII pc easy 70 procure those for use
as soon as your maneuvers begin.
Second. Texas is a state ordinarily
peaceful, but you cannot put 20 900
troops into it without running some
risk Of collision between the neonIe
Of the state, and especially the Mari-
cans who live In Texas near tha hov-
der and who sympathize with the IN
surrectos, and the federal soldiers
For that reason beg you to be as
careful as you can TO prevent friction |
or any kind We were able in cnha |
with the army Of pacification there ~ |
something more than $4,000 troops. "a |
maintain them for a year without anv
trouble, and hope you can do the
same thing in Texas Please give |
your attention to this, and advise alII
the officers in command Of the necas-
sity for very great circumspection Il
this regard. $500 =
Third, one Of tho great troubles il
the concentration Of troops is the
danger Of disease, and I suppose that
you have adopted the most modern
for the preventing and, If nee
Hssary, for stamping out epidemicg
That ID 20 much part Of campaign
hat II hardly seems necessary for me
% call attention to it.
Finally, wish you to examine the
question Of the patrol OF the border
and put as many troops on that work
- Is practicable and more than are
pcw engaged In 1t. la order to prevent
he use Of our borderIand for the car
rying on Of the insurrection. have