The Cairo bulletin., 1913-02-26
Govt. to Mass 100000 State Troops
for Possible Intervention in
Southern Republic.
COMPANY K is INTERESTED
To Learn When Government Vii:
Declare War--Local Boys AK
ious to Go 10 the Front.

With the War Department of the
nation on the qui vivc ready
to participate an armed In
vasion of Mexico and the
hurried mobilization of the troops
at Galveston. state militiamen al
over the country are wondering
what Importance they will play
should active hostilities occur in the
southern republic as resu OF an
invasion policy by the government
Cairo is pa-ticu arly Interested
because OF its contribution to the
state defense in the person OF Com
pany X, the local crack military or
ganization Ever since the invasion
of Mexico by the United States has
been rife talk, The local soldier boys
have been anxious to know what
move the government will next
make.
Last year. when war was immi-
nent on the border the COMMANDING
officers OF every states nationa'
guard were ordered to hold their
troops in readiness for service al
any moment. Pursuant to such Q
policy by the government the offi.
GERS OF every militia company were
instructed 10 recruit their enlist
ment to it's fu lest strength in case
they were to DO dispatched to tn
front
Recent messages from Washing
ton intimate that similar orders have
gone forth to the state military Of
lcers the same as last year and that
the government plans to effectively
use the militiamen IN a campaign oil
war should one be inaugurated in
Mexico
The following dispatch from
Washington shows the tenor OF con-
ditions:
"The Fifth Brigade OF the Second
Division is now on its way to Gal
weston. The first of these troops
viii reach there tonight.
This will complete camp OF
10000 men ready TO be hurried into
Mexico at moments notice. WITH
the aid of the three transports now
IN their way TO Galveston these
troops could be rushed to Vera Cruz
in five days time. while $4,000 more
regu airs and 100000 militia can be
'ecruited and massed along the Dor
der. In this way President TAFT fig
ures that President WI son will be
fully equipped to conduct such a
campaign against Mexico, as he
wishes"
This means that the entire militia
force will be called into service. and
In such an event, the Cairo lads
with thousands of others will be
marching away to war from home
to the proyerbial Girl | left behind
me" tune.
Illinois in sending her men to the
front would rank with the best oil
them in military fitness since the
state for the past year or so has in.
sisted on strict drill regulations 10
put the companies in a thorough
preparation for any emergency.
Last summer the men were put
through an arduous week of military
life at Camp Lincoln in Springfield
The practice work was considerably
stiffened by the presence of a bat,
TALON of regulars from Fort Ben
iamin Harrison at Indianapolis. who
drilled with the militiamen. Dur
ing this time the state guards were
subjected to real soldier life aspects
and the companies after the encamp-
ment were much the better off az
regards their fitness for service in
the national defense.
The majority of the Company X
boys, red corpusled, healthy and ac-
tive would welcome news that they
were to be sent to war, according to
one prominent member yesterday.
Like every American youth. the
spirit of adventure is uppermost in
their makeup. their sentiments rela-
tive to fighting for their country
would be re-eehoed throughout the
length and breadth OF the land
should turbulent Mexican affairs
force the United States to intervene
in order to bring peace out OF chaos
and protect American life and prop