The Washington herald., 1913-09-15

lSi2 Political disturbances in Mex
ico which eliminated in Santa Anna
being elected President, he. of course,
started 10 revise the constitution. Inc
States of Zacatecas, COahuila, and
Texas. pronounced their opposition to
the change, but Were compelled by
force of arms to submit. This was
the commencement of the Texas revo-
luton which resulted in the declara-
ton OF independence Of Texas and
the battle of San Jacinto.
In less than a year the independence
OF Texas was acknowledged by the
United States. Wan Buren adminis-
tratiOnD. Texas applied for admis-
sion to the Unitel States, but it was
declined lest it involved war with
Mexico.
Many claims We're made upon the
Mexican government by American
citizens for the redress OF wrongs.
lS59-1S45. Negotiations continued be-
tween the United States and Mexico.
At times it was found impossible to
transact business with Mexican Off
Cials. The Mexican government in
dulged in correspondence. the tone of
which was extremely warlike, and
took pains 10 see that this corre-
spOndenCe reached the diplomatic Of
tiCers of other nations. An American
frigate appeared at Vera Cruz in
1874, and the Mexicans became
alarmed and the government more
moderate in its demands, finally ask
ing if Mexican troops would be op-
posed in attempting to reConquer
Texas. In lS45 Texas was annexed by
resolution; the Mexican Minister de-
manded his passports and returned to
Mexico.
On account of this attitude on the
part of the Mexican government and
hostile demonstra tions and rumors
along the Rio Grande, Col. Zachary
Taylor, Sixth United States Infantry,
under orders from the War Depart
ment, established a camp of troops at
Corpus Christi. al the mouth of the
NueceS River, in the autumn of IS4j.
By the end of October, Gen. Taylor's
command consisted of 1854 officers
and men. This was the entire regular
army of the United States as it eX-
isted, with the exception of one regi-
ment OF dragons and three of in
fantry.
About the 18th of September. ls45.
intimatiOns through Mr. Black, Ameri-
can Consul at Mexico, reached Wash
ington to the effect that a negotia-
ton might be opened with the pros
pect of success. The President of the
United States, anxious, if possible, to
avoid a war, directed the American
Consul TO ascertain definitely whether
the envoy from the United States
empowered to settle the dispute be-
tween the two countries would be re-
ceived. The Mexican government ac-
ceded to the proposition. but after
ward refused to receive the envoy as
plenipotentiary. Mr.. Sidel. the
American Envoy. moved to Jalapa
from Mexico City and renewed corre-
spOndence with the Mexican govern
ment This brought no result and he
accordingly left Mexico.
1886. On the Sth of March. 1916, Tay.
lOr's small army marched from Corpus
Christi toward the Rio Grande, and
when its arrival on the banks with
out any physical opposition became
public in the United States, the gen.
eral opinion with the American people
was that, after having exhausted her
spleen in threats, and after two or
three more revolutions I'm her gov
ernment, Mexico would abandon her
purpose OF hostility and make the best
of it she could under the circum-
stances. This was also the prevailing
opinion in the American Congress, and
the contingency of war was deemed so
remote that it was with the greatest
difficulty that an increase of the army
by one regiment of mounted rifles was
pressed through. Both people and
Legislature were unprepared for the
events which soon followed.
The War Department historians hG
events of the war with Me
alo Alto, was fought May s, 1876.
pom by the President to make provisi
Ike an adequate force would have Sc
Ow, there was no such adequate force
ith 2,20S men. Before the war was
1O4,2S4 United States troops engages
ilitia, and 6O.659 volunteers. The to
SS.5OO,206.
IF there should be a war with J
ould continue to repeat itself in re
lst as we find parallels in the eventl