The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-15


Every available warship of the
United States is going to blockade
and patrol Mexican waters until not
q steamship or boat of any kind can
land rifle or cartridge on it's coast.
In this way we will have the moral
assistance of practically every world
power. except, perhaps, Japan. Japan
has been doing a thriving business
selling supplies to the Mexican FEEDER
ais on the west coast, and some of her
enterprising shippers may endeavor to
continue in that trade. On the east
coast there will be no trouble either
from the countries to the south or
from Europe. Europe has too much
at stake in Mexico to render any as
sistance.
The navy will have no fights. A sin
gle battleship can take care OF any
thing that floats in either ocean under
the Mexican flag. Then across tho
2,200 more miles of border from
Matamoras to Yuma and along the
gulf south of San Diego there will be
thrown g. line of 10000 or more mi
ltiamen, border guards, whose only
duty will be the defending of the
American border towns, the prevention
of raids and smuggling and the pro-
tecting OF the various bases.
There will not be much attempted
in the way Of smuggling. The coun-
try is tapped only by about five rail-
roads and war supplies are manufac-
tured only by limited number of
concerns i'm the country. The manu-
featuring concern which will place it's
profits above it's patriotism will soon
learn something about emergency
methods, besides which they will be
working overtime anyway. The rail-
roads will simply not carry the freight,
and that practically ends any chance
OF interior Mexico fighting on any
thing more deadly than bows and ar
rows.
Rough Riders to Front.
The United States army, not the mi
litia, aided by irregular forces COM
posed Of men with special knowledge
Of the kind of fighting there will be-
will do the first heavy work in inter-
vention. An important organization
in this connection will be the First
Volunteer Cavalry, familiar as the
Rough Riders, and their commander
will be their first lieutenant colonel,
Theodore Roosevelt. The Rough
Riders have preserved veteran or
ganization since 1898. Two years ago
when it's members, most Of whom live
along the border, realized that some
time the United States would have to
go over the line. they laid their plans.
A tentative organization which can be
stretched from a regiment to bri-
gade was laid out and at the first call
to arms it's recruiting offices will be
l
lish language, with a knowledge OF
the country and it's people, to say
nothing Of an entire willingness and
ability to fight. Similar organiza-
tions will spring up along the bor~
der and they will be most valuable as
scouts and guides. although the regu-
lar army today knows exactly where
1t is going, and what it is to try and
do when 1t gets there.
Tie plans of the United states are
so we'll forecast that Mexican Federal.r
themselves discuss them. They have
long since stopped expressing posi-
bility or probability in the invasion
as they call it, and discuss 1t as am
assured fact. 1t was agreed by Fed
eral officers at n luncheon in Juarez
on the Sunday before election that the
United States warships will straight
away blockade and capture Tampico,
Vera Cruz, Campeche and some minor
ports on the east coast 1t is agreed
that there Will be no fight. On the
west coast they will promptly take
Guaymas. Mazanillo, Culican and
other important ports. There may he
show of resistance, but no real op-
position.
Invade Five States.
TRANSPORTS will follow ships and af
ter the regular army has settled the
towns the militia VIII be installed on
garrioson duty. The land invasions
will be made through the five no,th.
ernmost Mexican States-Tamau,;pas
Nuevo Leon. Coahuila, chihuahua ana
sonora. The United States troops
VIII advance to the capitals of these
states. take them and thpn tho nrip