The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-25
No Departure From Estab-
lished Policy of Prepared
ness for, Intervention
in Mexican Affairs
GIVE LITTLE THOUGHT
TO RECOGNITION OF
NEW GOVERNMENT
Plans for Sending Troops Into Mexico
to FOrestall Any Strike at Ameri-
cans During Closing Days of
Present Administration
by the Malcontents

Washington, February 24.--Mili-
tary orders flew thick and fast today
in redemption of President Taft's
promise to have an army of 10000
men assembled at Galveston, the most
convenient port to Mexico, all equipped
for foreign service and ready to exc
cute any order that his successor
might choose to issue upon the basis
of conditions that will exist after
March A.
These orders were supplementary to
those which left the war department last
week and were calculated TO insure as
semblage of the second division OF the
reorganized army at or in the neghbor-
hood of Galveston.
The completion Of orders to move ths
entire second division is intended as fur
ther warning to Mexico that there viii
be no departure from the established
policy of preparedness during the remain-
ing week of President Tafts admlnls-
traton.
Will Not Release Vigilance
All plans for the possible sending OF
troops into Mexico will continue with ths
same 1ninuteness OF detail which would
characterize official orders had the pres
ent acute condition arisen in Mexico
at any time earlier in the strife. which
has rent that republic since the FIRST
uprising against Porfirio Diaz. more than
two years ago This course is based
on the ground that any cessation IN the
closing days or even hours of the Taft
administration might be seized hold OF
by Mexican malcontents as an opportun-
ity for n strike at Americans which
could not be adequately overcome shout
officials here relax their vigilance.
SO far the state department has given
little thought to the question Of polit-
ical recognition of the new government
in Mexico inelining to await further de-
velopments in the situation and willing
TO regard it largely by the recommen-
datons OF Ambassador Wilson, whose
course so far, under extremely diff
cult and delicate circumstances, has met
with the unqualified approval of the de-
partment.
Mai Gen. William IL. Carter, who COM
mands the second division, was ordered
today from Chicago to Galveston This
will be the second time that this officer
has had the honor of commanding a
complete division Of troops within the
limits of Texas, the first being in the
case of mobilization of 1911. when the
Mexican trouble first became acute.
Other Troops Ordered Out
The Fifth brigade of this division al
ready is moving to Galveston. as is tile
| fourth field artillery, composed Of noun
tain batteries. The order issued today
will set in motion the fourth brigade
the sixth brigade and the sixth cavalry
Brig. Cen Frederick A. Smith commands
the fifth brigade. previously ordered to
concentrates; Col Edwin r Glenn of .ne
Twenty third infantry. Will command the
fourth brigade in the illness of Brig. Gen.
Ramsey D.. Potts, and Col. Arthur Will
liams Of the Eleventh infantry, who
commands the sixth brigade i'll place Of
Brig Gen. Clarence Edwards, who Is
under orders for Philippine service. The
war department estimate is that under
these orders there will be concentrated
at Galveston between 5000 and 5000 in
fantry, about 500 cavalry and about the
same number of field artillery, or a total
of nearly 1000 men
These troops are widely scattered
throughout the middle states and along
the Mississippi river from the gulf to
Canada During the maneuvers of 1911
II required two weeks time to get some
of the soldiers to Texas, but it is be-
heved this period can be cut in half At
present. Even then the whole second di-
vision will almost certainly be at Cal
weston or vicinity some time before water
transportation can be provided.
! The four army transports, all tho gov
ernment owns in eastern waters can
only carry u brigade at most and there
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