Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-08-19
THE COST OF INTERVENTION

Z Z s :
The Army and Navy Journal brands as ri
diculous a recently published article in a New
York paper which estimated that $500, 600, 900
100000 men and the lives of $4,000 soldiers
would be required in case of Intervention in
Mexico by the United States. 1t is conceded
that this terrific cost might be entailed in case
OF conquest of the southern republic, but this
wellinformed service journal points out that the
military authorities and the state department
do not propose war of conquest nor even an
invasion" in its ordinary sense. Discussing in
Prevention it says
What they suggest u that we should have ii ciear
y understood that we interfere in Mexico If we do
So only through virtue imperative necessity: not
Tor conquest but In the interest of humanity; that
we intend to establish protectorate like that in
Cuba with eventual autonomy for the Mexicans; that
we propose to change the laws in Mexico so that the
poor man will have chance; and that we will thus
remove the conditions of virtual slavery imposed
upon the lower classes of Mexcans which has re-
suited In their continuous resistance nearly one
hundred years. We reform this law; they can
not. The claim that the Mexicans under these con-
ditions would unite in resisting us is vast error
They did not unite in resisting Scott in 1886 nor Ba
zane in 1864.
With our resources we will be. able to raise for
police duty and fighting for reform a much larger
force of Mexicans than will the Mexicans able to
raise to oppose 1t is useless to say the Mexcans
will not understand that we come for their own
good. They will appreciate it we reach
Mexico City. To reach that city in 1876 required
several hard-fought engagements, the Americans
numbering 10000 men. In 1862 II required but
engagement the French numbering 10000 men, In
none Of the engagements fought during the last
three years have the forces either side been
than 5000 men.
Cortez conquered Mexico by the aid of his Tlas-
Gala Indians. of whom he had at time 10000
Mexico was divided In her wars for independence
During General SCOTS invasion he organized the
companies of Dominguez. Mexcsns served sol
diers in our service and in the French service dur
ing the French invasion. Mexicans always have and
always will be divided.
To compare the Mexicans with the Beers is ridic-
ulous The Mexican in the ranks is almost pure
Indian with little intelligence and education The
kind of fighting that he will do if we invade the
country is to be by the kind of fighting he
does during the present insurrection More lives are
now being lost by stupidity in their methods of fight
ing than by bravery. The Mexican will fight like
Filipino-not much better Mr.. Schrener says we
will be opposed by guerrilla warfare This is true
enough, but it will be easy to employ Mexicans 20
fight these guerrillas When the Mexcans under
stand our intentions will only be the bandits that
oppose u.s. With the humanity that characterizes
our American officers and with their genius for or
ganzation shown in Cuba, Porto Rico the Philip
mines and in many emergencies it Is believed that an
army of 10000 regular troops would settle the Mex
can ouestion in two wears.