The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1914-05-15
IN THE EVENT OF WAR THE UNIT.
ED STATES WOULD PUT TWO
ARMIES IN THE FIELD.
TO OPERATE FROM LAND AND SEA
Volunteer Force of 100000 Would Like
ly Be Called to 0uty-First Field
Army Would Go in at Vera Cruz
and Second From Border.

world will not have long. to wait for
the final chapter in the struggle be.
tween Huerta and his enemies.
Several of the diplomatic corps,
headed by the Spanish minister, are
reported to have called on President
Huerta few days ago and urged him
not to subject the city to lombard
ment, but to lead his troops outside
and there make his stand. Huerta, &C.
cording to this report, protested, but
the Spanish minister is said to have
insisted that unless he consented the
minister would demand his passports.
Huerta finally agreed, but reserved
the right to retreat into the capital.
1t may be stated as coming from
good authority that the United States
war departments plans for handling
the Mexican campaign, providing the
situation reaches the point where this
country must intervene, contemplate,
as a beginner, two large field armies,
each numbering three divisions or
more. On the smallest basis this
means about 10000 men, but that
such force in event full occupation
of the republic is found necessary,
would be about 20 per cent of the
actual needs is the belief of those
about the department who have ap,
piled closest study to the situation
War strength of regiment is in the
neighborhood of 1000. A field army
comprises three divisions of three OF
more brigrades, each made up of three
regiments.
Operate From Land and Sea.
The preliminary plans thus far
adopted more than likely would be
made definite and the first field army
would go in at Vera Cruz, with the
second on the border of Texas, to
sweep southwark. Considering the ex.
tent of border area, the opinion pre-
walls that for effective work consider.
ably more than one field army would
be necessary in the last indicated op-
Grafton, and for this reason close study
has been given the National Guard
situation, as well as the methods for
raising regiments of volunteers.
Again it must be pointed out that
the> volunteer bill recently approved
by the president furnishes only the
machinery for carrying the National
Guard over to the status of volunteers,
and for the calling of volunteers. 1t
gives the president no authority for
issuing call without the sanction of
congress, neither does it authorize a
declaration of war on the part of the
executive.
First Composed Of Regulars.
The first field army, the one intend.
ed for the Vera Cruz campaign, would
be composed almost entirely of regu-
lars, portion of whom are now on
Mexican soil. The exception probably
will be the New York National Guard,
commanded by General John F.
Organ, an officer Of regular army
experience and who has built the
guard of his State along military lines.
Second Field Force.
The second field army would be
composed of regulars and the National
Guard transformed into volunteer regi.
ments, and were the campaign limited
to the two great divisions referred to
it might be that only those National
Guards which are considered efficient
would be included in the initial call.
Artillery to Be Factor.
The army is looking back to the war
of 1S47-8 for correction of mistakes,
and overcoming disadvantages. AS far
as the Vera Cruelty of Mexico opera
tons obtain, the country has not
changed materially in a half century
IN roads or routes, and the army of
today would be required to travel
practically the same ground as then,
Invasion From the Border.
From the north the resistance would
De almost entirely men and disease,
and it would have to be careful
cleaning we gave the country in both
particulars to insure safety in opera
tons, All the plans presuppose that
the Latin in Mexico will unite for a
common defense, and the belief has
been given additional support by the
attitude of the constitutionalists to-
ward the mediation plans. 1t would
be a question Of driving the constitu-
tioRalist army southwark, allowing suf-
ficient time for operations from the
north before the Vera Cruz force
moved westward. These details are
only roughly viewed, and are wholly
uncertain in the light of developments
that may arise.
Big Call Is Expected.
Army people still insist that the vol
unteer force should be not less than
100000. 1t is pointed out that the
field armies have to be supported both
from Vera Cruz and from the border,
and that, while the plans call for the
first advance to be by the regulars, it
would not be practical to muster all
S,f e.