Evening star., 1914-05-03
It's Sole Business
to Locate Enemy.

r.x crdl PUBIC KNOWS
This is the intelligence department, which
| in reality is a. closely organized and alert
secret service. The movements OF our
troops will depend upon what Is first
learned by this department about the
Mexican forces. They must find out
where they are stationed and in what
numbers. what strength they have at
given points, and ascertain, If possible,
when, where and how they are planning
10 attack or retreat. While the main
body is waiting for orders or is on the
march, reconnaissance will be going on
well in advance.
IL our army had become involved in a
war three or even two years ago the
sance by an advance guard of cavalry
would have been followed out, but in
Mexico today the first unit to sight the
enemy will be the aero squadron. just
how many aeroplanes are at the front
now is absolutely confidential, but that
our army in Mexico is to use this form
of potent and swift intelligence In a way
entirely new to warfare is foregone
will come the advance cavalry. which
will be mile or more ahead OF the
main body. depending upon circum-
stances. This force will seek to ascer-
tain the strength and position OF the
enemy to protect our main body against
surprise and to prevent its movements
from being seen.
According to military technic, this
| advance cavalry should be prepared. II
necessary, to engage and defeat the
advance cavalry of the enemy, but it
is not believed that the Mexicans have
mounted units large enough or sum
imperative. 1r Vile this advance is
being made the Signal Corps will be
pushing its way along, busily sending
back messages to the commanding off
they will telephone, telegraph or use
the buzzer. They advance rapidly, reel
ing out coils Of wire and making In
For visual signaling, the heliograph,
flags and night lamps will be used
| exigencies dictate. Wireless will be a
big factor in helping our army to work
harmoniousiy in Mexico.
While the advance guard is locating
the army Of the enemy and keeping it
In check, the sup
Plan Of Formation porting detail of
n w. infantry and en-
as Battle Nears. cineers will be
moving along about a half mile behind,
and a mile or two farther back will
come the main body. Carefully screened
by the main body will be the Hospital
Corps and ambulances. Then follows
the wagon train with supplies under
special escort. and at the arIny's broad
back will be the vigiiant rear guard.
In the meantime the flank guards and
the patrols will be doing their part.
Such is the general formation of our
army on the march; but what does it do
when it strikes the enemy? That depends
partly on the enemy himself, but mostly
on conditions which all the combined
armies of the world can never control
geography and weather. But barring
these natural enemies Of tactics, our
army in the field can be depended upon
to meet any emergency. AS the command
gradually approaches the enemy the
marching order is rapidly but carefully
changed BY this time the intelligence
agencies have been able to get fairly
good. and sometimes a very accurate,
estimate of the strength of the opposing
organization. Our columns are closed UP.
the distance between the advance guard
and the main body is shortened, the ar
! tillerys is brought up ready to be un-
limbcred. and all baggage and every
thing else that might get in the way is
sent to the rear.
The very first time our troops in Mex
leo deploy like this In the teeth of
large body of ardent Huerta soldery that
immediate locality will be no place for
the innocent bystander." Firing will
open at once. The only way to win
battles is by landing on the other fellow
with the speed of an express train and
the crushing force ia thousand stamp
mill. Our boys can be depended upon
to do this for three reasons: "a 1t is
fundamental principle of military tactics
that the eagles of victory perch on the
! standards of the man who can take and
| maintain the offensive; Ca) the American
soldier knows this simple but exceedingly
important lesson BY heart. because fully
half of our enlisted strength have been
through at least one campaign since the
war with Spain, in 1888 and 60 il is
the nature of the American soldier to
so after his man with terrible intensity
and not to let up until he gets him"
And when the battle is on. the eff
| cheney of the American army will be GO
/ ing through the
| An Acid Test acid test. Our
j for U. S. Army. ,be the s.rsr., - arms
| Of the service With skill and precision
/ ah heo n will he wiz he