Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-12-02

completed "war plans" on which It has
been working for the last six years
and which were recently hurried to
completion. For the first time In the
history Of the army, 1t was said by one
in authority. the war department ia
ready Immediately to put into the field
q great army Of men equipped and
ready for action.
General William Crozier, chief Of the
bureau OF ordnance, who Is now
abroad, directed these preparations to
be made little more than six years ago.
and the work was intrusted to Lieuten.
ant Colonel ]. T. Thompson. Colonel
Thompson's plan. which will be Off.
cially known as the war plan." is de-
signed to meet actual hostility. It con-
templates increasing the line Of the
regular army to its maximum enlisted
strength allowed by law and to muster
into the service the entire organized
militia of the several states at full
war strength. the remainder Of the
army Of half million men to be made
up by voluntary enlistments.
The plan comprehends concentration
camps at which this army shall be
armed and equipped before the differ
ent units are sent into the field. Maps
and tables have been prepared show
ing the present strength Of the regular
army and the militia and the increase
necessary to bring them up to the full
war strength.
It became known recently that In the
estimate Of appropriations required fof
the army in the fiscal year there ap-
pears an item Of $s,0OO.O00 for ammu-
milton. This is an increase Of $5,OOO.-
600 over the appropriation asked for
the purpose year ago.
Huerta's Rule Tottering.
Huerta Is beset by foes other than
the United States. The Constitution
alists are menacing him. In fact, they
have won notable victories. Under
General Villa they have taken posses.
zion of Juarez General Pablo Con.
sales. commanding the attacking
force. reported to Consdtutionalist
headquarters at Matamoras that he
had captured Victoria. capital Of the
Mexican state Of Tamaulipas, after
killing every member Of the federal
garrison. The garrison Is believed to
consist Of 600 men.
The victory completes the control
Of the adherents of General venustiano
CarranEa, the COnstitutionalist leader.
Of the northern tier Of Mexican states.
running from the gulf Of Mexico to the
gulf of California in this order: Ia.
maulipas, Coahuila. Chihuahua and So
nora.
These states have an area Of 262.-
645 square miles-a stretch Of territory
only 1000 square miles less than
Maine. Vermont, New Hampshire.
Massachusetts,, Rhode Island. Connect
icut, New York. New Jersey. Pennsyl.
vania, West Virginia. Ohio and Indiana
combined.
Victoria has population Of 1900
and the four border states more than
], 100000 inha bitants.
Carranza's control Of Tamaulipas Is
important because that state adjoins
the state Of Vera Cruz, which contains
the principal Mexican seaport on the
gulf Of Mexico.
All bridges between Victoria and
Tampico have been destroyed. as we'll
as tracks north Of Victoria.
There was great jubilation at Consd-
tutionalist headquarters over the vic
tories reported. following so closely
the recent capture Of Tepic. capital Of
the state of that name. situated on the
gulf of California. and Of Juarez. the
important port of entry across the Rio
Grande from FL Paso
Plans For Peace Fall.
The administration had hoped by
means Of some arrangement with Gen.
eral Carranza. the rebel leader. to
evade drastic action to get Huerta out
Of the government
This plan having failed. there Is LETT
only the alternative Of actually push
ing Huerta out Of the presidency by
arms or abandoning the plan of forcing
him out and relying on the course OF
events finally to bring about the same
result
The feeling that the country is not
yet prepared to support an energetic
and vigorous program for enforcing
the presidents dictum that Huerta
must 90 has been very large factor
In the administration decision to
leave the situation to itself for the
present
It is recognized at Washington that
there Is 10 desire among the people OF
the United States generally for war
with Mexico. and the president Is con-
yinced that he will have to furnish
very excellent reasons II In his han
ding Of the situation he should decide
upon armed Intervention.
The greatest obstacle to the present
policy Of letting the Mexican business
drift along again is. Of course. the ut
titude Of the European governments
The United States got their promise to
bold of with respect to Mexico until
President Wilson could define his pol
Icy, but they are not under any pledge
to support that policy.
q