Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1911-05-12

ca~mpaigners are worried lest by not
reenlisting they have lost an oppor.
tunity to get under fire.
II 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
Off and the war department tho
urgent need for having larger accom-.
m~odations for the troops at this point.
Already arrangements have been
made for the construction of addition
al barracks and further arrangements
of a similar nature will be made soon.
San Antonio looms up as the strategic
point of greatest importance for the
mobilizal. IN OF American troops In the
even. lof trouble anywhere In Latin
America, and II 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
topians by their utter disregard for
the fitful north breezes, which occa-
sionally bring the temperature down
to 80 or 60. Most of the time the
temperature stays about 20. and for q
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 of until the second section
came In. In some instances bar
ness was packed in the cars OF n
section, while the horses were In an
other. But, on the whole, the move
ment has beer successful. Ii is espe-
cially notable that all OF the trains
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 acci'
dent has occurred.
as..t- ostx- hos haQnH hnif IN
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 a year on It
The police were prepared to pre-
vent trouble in the city, as the SOL
diers we're inclined TO have a GOOD
time. There was a tendency toward
animosity between them and Mexican
residents. This was particularly re-
grettable 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, he 10
cal office was spread out into tenn
porary quarters, and the mail was
handled without delay.
Pontoon bridges end engineering
} ,mpedimenta remained on the cars
I ready for quick movement. Hundreds
t OF the cars brought here were not
| taken away. Many of the bids accept
ed by the qu~artermaster's department
called for the delivery of goods on
3 hoard trains. and not at Fort Sam
; Houston. That meant that the sup
!. niles were ready for shipment to the
soldiers who were being rushed to
border points This army OF 10000
+ men has beer divided. Ten thousand
men remained in San Antonio and
10 1000 went to the border and formed
g a wall from Ell paso to Brownsville.
Troops did not arrive as rapidly
as scheduled, in spite of the welllaid
I plans In the office OF the war depart
$ ment in Washington. Military mel
r say this movement again demon
Q strates the fallacy of scattering ths
troops In small posts throughout thu
country. The prospect for trouble. IN
D certain as 1t is, has caused enlistments
z tn increase enormously, and scores o
d newiy-recruited troops have CONF
with the veterans.
s 1t is an interesting group of mel
gathered in San Antonio. There arr
I soldiers who have seen service in thu
Philippines, Cuba. China and Alaska
It and won distinction for bravery, ant
there are men here who fought ind
$ ans in Texas a quarter OF a century
d ago.