New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-07
ROASTING IN TEXAS
One of 10000 Soldiers There De-
scribes Futility Of Mobilization.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: I wonder II the public has over
looked the fact that since the mobilization
OF 1900 OF the regular army at this point
IN February, instruction and brigandage
have gone merrily on In Mexico Yes, they
are still at u down there, and will prob
ably continue for a generation. notwith-
standing our buster on this side OF the
line.
When the second division of the army
was rushed down here on fifty railroad
trains. entailing an enormous and UNI
necessary expense, it was supposed that
Mexico would stop stock still and deter
mine upon good behavior Mexico did
nothing of the sort but, on the contrary,
she broke out with fresh eruptions every
where. All Of which goes to show that
Mexicans, 10 the last peon, know us and
fear us about as they do the horned toads
Of the mesa
Most thoughtful military men here feel
that the presence OF these soldiers in
Texas encourages rather than discourages
the political outsiders Of Mexico, who are
maintaining petty warfare and brigand-
age there. The insurgents against the
Huerta regime, embracing the time-hon-
ored Latin-American philosophy, Heads
| win, tails you lose" care not centavo
how many troops we keep roasting In
Texas. In short, the army officers point
of view is that we should either so at
once into Mexico and establish order or
else return these 1900 long suffering SOL
dlers TO their posts and end a bluff that
has long since become a Joke We occupy
a peculiar position In this camp. Sent
here to frlghten Mexico by threat OF inter
vention in its affairs, we are held to broil
and be fed upon by rapacious insects and
more rapacious tradesmen. while Mr..
Bryan shouts from Washington that I'M
der no circumstances shall we enter
Mexico
But II has been said that here is a
chance for maneuvres on big scale.
That is not true except In so far as the
presence of the soldier is concerned. After
many years experience as a soldier, | am
forced to say that, with the exception Of
the Desert of Sahara, 1 never saw more
unsuited terrain upon which TO teach
troops the art OF war. IL would require
great Industry for jack rabbit to hide
himself anywhere within ten miles of this
camp. There are no trees and no water
once the camp is left behind-and the sun
is binding There are flies and mosqui-
toes in swarms and jiggers Tor chiggers-
the devil take themD on every blade Of
grass.
When we came here we found a DESC
late and wretched little boom town which
Northern capital was trying TO exploit,
but from observation of many Western
booms | thought the explosion imminent.
Anyway, the place was down at the heel
and forlorn, and the natives informed us
that we should remain ito put them on
the map" We are here and we are put
ting them on the map-at the rate of
about 100000 a month! We are a fairly
good paying proposition as summer
boarders, though most unwilling, | assure
you, to the last man and mule.
How long this will last the Lord only
knows. but certainly we shall remain
here and fry upon this sun-baked waste
just as long as the citizens committee of
Galveston and the Board OF Trade OF
Texas City can prevail upon the admins