The San Francisco call., 1913-11-01
Lieutenant Colonel Mathew
son Describes Advance
Ideas of War College
By 1T. COL. H. G. MATHEWSON
Coast Artillery Corps, N. G. c.

OOuSI SoEpss ~. O- IL
With the possibility of interven-
tion by the Uni ID States in Mexico,
the question arises in the public
mind just what plans Uncle Sam
would pursue in assembling his
troops; also the comparative strength
of the army of Mexico with that of
the United States.
Our first serious problem would be
the concentration of our forces in
camps. This has all been arranged
for by the war college, composed of
a board of regular army officers. The
plans have been completed and have
been approved by the general staff,
which directs field operations in time
of war
PLANS FOR MOBILIZATION
The mobilization is such a gigan
tic proposition that I will only en-
deavor to deaf with II IS 1t would
affect Californians. 1t is generally
understood that concentration camp
for the militia of the western division
and for the regulars OF the western
division has been selected at point
near Los Angeles. probably Long
Beach.
Here the troops will be rushed from
their various armories and army posts
by special trains. Provision for this
has been made by the general staff
with the railroads. The plans are Sc
cret, but a general idea must neces-
sarily be furnished the railroad off,
cials, so that ample accommodations
can be provided for the thousands of
soldiers and their equipment.
Every national guardsman in Cali
fornia is on his mettle. For months
the various company commanders
have been preparing their men for
active field service. The moment that
mobilization every soldier I'm Califor-
MAS militia will be ready to entrain
California has at war strength:
CALIFORNIA; WAR STRENGTH
Men
Three regiments of infantry. $500
One squadron of cavalry. .... 500
One battalion of field artillery. 500
One company signal corps.... $50
twelve companies coast artillery 200
Field hospital corps. s...-........ 125
Ambulance company. 125
Total. .-....-......-.. $500
These soldiers are recruited from
every section of the state and 1t will
be a difficult task for the quarter
masters department to assemble
them, but this branch of the service
has accomplished so many seemingly
impossible jobs that it is safe to say
there will be no hitch.
Once the militia and regulars are
assembled in the concentration camp
all that would be needed for them to
entrain for the Mexican border would
be orders from the president.
EQUIPPED SAME AS REGULARS
The militia is equipped with the
same outfit as the regulars. Their
uniforms are identical, they use the
same rifles and cannon. the same am
munition and are schooIed in the same
tactics. Each soldier carries a set of
entrenchment tools.
The railroads will be taxed to their
capacity in the handling of the troop
ers of California's concentration
camp. It is my belief that 40 pas
senger, so baggage. 25 fiat and so
stock cars will be needed for the
mobilization of the troops in Ca1ifor-
mia.
AS the stay at the camp depends
upon conditions to be determined after
war is declared it becomes necessary
to make ample provisions for the
sanitary care of the troops before
their arrival to prevent disease and
contagion. All regulars are inocu-
| lated with the anti-typhoid serum and
most likely the militiamen will be
vaccinated with this vaccine when
they are ordered into the field.
MEDICAL CORPS ALERT
Good water and food will keep the
camp healthy. The medical corps of
| the army is fully alive to it's RESPONSE
bility. We have learned many costly
lessons in the health of our soldiers,
and when war comes upon us again
1t will find us fully prepared.
i Mexico has a standing army of 29.556
men, On war footing Mexico's regu-
! lar forces total 7o.slS men, What she