The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1914-06-19
COMPLETE SCHEME OF INVASION
OF MEXICO WAS PREPARED
BY WAR COLLEGE.
LIKE SCOTS AND TAYL0R's
Experienced OfHcers Have Drawn Up
Details Of Operations for Use In
Armed Conflict With Any
Nation on Earth.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.


query was, how well prepared Ia the
United State for eyentualities In
previous dispatch It was told how
the Quartermaster's department was
ready to feed and clothe three big
armies and that the chances were
there would be no repetition of the
scandal OF unpreparedncss which was
an amiction Of the Spanish war days.
An army must be fed, clothed and
armed, but there are other things
necessary for proper preparation for
the war In the city of Washington
there IL q war college, an army insti-
tuition in which officers OF advanced
rank go to school again" 1t is one
Of the duties OF the war college to
study stragedy and to lay plans for
possible conflict with any nation on
earth.
When the f1rst sign came that war
with Mexico was possible the war col
Iege gave to the authorities a COM
piote plan for the invasion by armed
forces Of the Spanish-American coun-
try. In fact 1t gave several plans.
each one of which was Intended to
meet certain contingencies Of cam
paigning. Long before the feet was
sent to Vera Cruz the army men had
taken = thought on the possibility
That Huerta. Carranxa and villa
might join forces against the United
states. One plan Of campaign. the
most comprehensive one, was pre-
pared to meet just such a condition.
Another plan took cognixance of the
possibility or probability that Car
ranxa and Villa would not resent an
invasion of Mexico II the object of
the invaders was to drive Huerta
nom the capital and to set up a con-
stitutional government. This plan of
campaign was less elaborate than the
other, but It was based on the best
thought which some thirty or forty
army omcers of long service could
bring to bear on the subject.
Much Like SCOTS PIans.
II may seem a curious thing, but
the plans for campaigning in Mexico
In general way were those which
we're adopted by Scott and by Taylor
In the Mexican war OF the late forties.
This Is the more peculiar perhaps be- |
cause the entire system OF fighting
has changed since the Scott days, the |
greatest change having come within
ne last twenty years. Army men say
hat General Scott was a fine strate-
gist and that moreover he was an
'dept at discovering the lines OF
east resistance for an effective cam
'aign.
An army going from Vera Cruz to
dexico City today would follow the
Inc OF march that Scott took. No
letter route has been found notwtth.
landing the fact that modern weap-
ms and the open order method OF
ghting change tactics as necessarily
6 they must change some forms OF
trategy.
II Is understood that the plans which
he war colleges prepared for trouble
a Mexico also include scheme for
northern campaign much like that
hitch was put into operation by Gen
raj Taylor, who fought so successful
: against the Mexicans and who won
ne battle with an army OF 5000 men
Tilted against an army OF 10000 men
nder the greatest military leader, per.
APPS, that Mexico ever produced. ,
Plans for Any War.
While the war college was preparing ,
" campaigns In Mexico il was not for I
citing the possibility OF campaigns Y
sewhere and OF possible defensive a
in Panama and on the west [
,ast OF the United States. or course [
will be readily understood what Q
'untry the war college men had in t
ind when they were discussing plans
r the protection of the country west 9
the Rockies and the Isthmus OF p
inama against attack. h
1t is fact that today, II the United {.
ates should be thrown into war with g
agland with Germany. with France, II
th Italy. with Russia. with Japan, or Il
th any other country. plans instantly b
ould be forthcoming from the war II
llege for the conducting Of such land 7
creations as might be necessary. The c
val war college would produce its a
a fighting plans and ii would be o.
und that no matter what nation. Fl
lall or great, had made the declara-
IN of war, there would be ready
mplete scheme of operations often.
We and defensive for use by the Uni. no
d States land and naval forces. .
No Hope of Early Adjournment.
While good many members OF =.
ngress, possibly a majority, have .,
en- showing every desire to com -
SIS an adjournment without passing =,
me of the legislation which the r
esident has been insistent shall :,
taken up at this session, there ~
a current belief that Mr. VIII NJ
4 has told the leaders of his party
II the legislation must be passed :.
that congress must stay at its h,
rk ~
The Mexican situation caused a de- hi
in the consideration of antitrust 81
assures and even halted for a time n,