Lower coast gazette., 1914-01-17

during an election in Panama or to
guard the American consulate at Valparaiso. Chile.
it is the American marine, the first aid" man OF
the country's armed service, who PUSHES to the
front.
And PUSHES is the word. For speed is the ele-
ment which above all others is drilled,
and pounded night and day into the constitution
of the marine. On the principle that q fire caught
in it's early stages will be readily extinguished'
the United States marine corps Is organized 10
respond to any call at a moments notice and
smother the incipient blaze. In fact, their hurried
appearance on the scene has often prevented the
outbreak of threatened confagration.
From the halls Of Montezuma to the shores OF
Tripoli" is the way the song starts which they
have made known in every part Of the world.
"The halls of Montezuma?" Yes, the marines
have seen service In Mexico. 1t was back in the
days of 1S47 when they were present at the storm
ing Of Chapultepec, the strong castle on the forti'
fled hill near Mexico City, where the ancient Aztec
rulers held sway.
ITO the shores Of Tripoli?" Yes, it was back in
1903 that American marines marched across the
desert of northern Africa for 600 miles, and after
capturing the TripOlitan flag hoisted that OF the
United States for the first time in the history OF
the country on a fortress of the Old World.
China, Japan, Corea. Egypt Algiers, Tripoli,
Chile, Mexico, Cuba, Sumatra, Formosa, Hawaii,
Santo Domingo, Porto Rico, Nicaragua-no. this
is more than a mere geographical list OF countries,
It is a roster of some Of the countries In which
the American marines have been CAMEO on lot
-vice. And they sing:
From the He'll Hole Of Cavite
To the Ditch at Panama,
You will find them very needy
OF Marines-that's what we are:
We're the watch dog of a pile OF coal.
Or we dig a magazine,
Though our job-lots they are manifold,
Who would not be a Mariner"
IIbiuuitous they are in field Of action. Manifold
are their duties. Amphibious creatures also they
are. fighting by land or sea. They are called
soldiers of the sea-" Ready for fun or frolic,"
thew serve on war vessels and land. both In times
of peace and war.
When fighting on the battleships or cruisers 70
which they are assigned they man the six-incn,
eveinch and three-inch guns, and the six.rounders
al the intermediate and secondary batteries. They
are trained and fully equipped for instant service
as landing parties. When they land they take
with them If needed ship guns Of three. i've and
stxinch caliber. Part Of their training is to mount
these pieces in suitable shore positions. They are
,ought the various methods Of singing and trans.
porting ordnance.
Ashore In foreign countries they fight or per
form peaceful duties, according to need, And
when there is any fighting to be done, they are
generally the men who start ii. They open the
way for bigger fighting, If such should be neces.
gary, They are the forerunners Of both the army
and navy. They are the hurry up, clean 'em up
quick and eat EN- alive" boys. Except in case OF
big and important fighting. the marines usually
finish the lob alone. AS the marine corps all told
comprises only 10000 men and 1884 officers, It could
not fight a war but sor the dozens Of smaller calls
for military aid, It is all sufficient. II either the
army or navy or both are to come into action
later on, it is usually the marines who have taken
the first step against the enemy.