The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-01-17

during an election in Panama or to
guard the American consulate at Valparaiso, Chile
1t is the American marine, the first aid man Of
the countrys armed service, who rushes to the
front
And "rushes" Is the word. For speed is the ele-
ment which above all others is drilled hammered
and pounded night and day into the constitution
of the marine. On the principle that fire caught
in its early stages will be readily extinguished,
the United States marine corps is organized to
respond to any call at moments notice and
smother the incpient 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
Tripol" 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 the forti
fed hill Mexico City. where the ancient Aztec
rulers held sway.
ITO the shores of Trpoli?" Yes, it was back in
1903 that American marines marched across the
desert of northern Africa for 600 miles, and after
capturing the Tripotan flag hoisted that of the
United States for the first time in the history of
the country on fortress of the Old World
China, JAPAN Corea. Egypt, Algers. Tripoli.
Chile, Mexico, Cuba, Sumatra Formosa. Hawaii.
Santo Domingo, Porto Rico, Ncaragua-no. this
is more than mere geographical list of countries,
it is a roster of some of the countries in which
the American marines have been called on for
service. And they sing:
From the He'll Hole of Cavte
To the Ditch at Panama,
You will find them very needy
OF Marines-that's what we are:
We're the watch dog of pile of coal,
Or we dig a magazine,
Though our joblots they are manifold,
Who would not be Mariner"
Ubiquitous they in field of action. Manifold
are their duties. Amphibious creatures also they
are. fighting by land They are called
soldiers of the sea-" Ready for fun or frolic,"
they serve on war vessels and land, both in times
of peace and war.
When fighting on the battleships or cruisers to
which they are assigned they the six-inch.
fiveinch and threeinch guns, and the six-pounders
of 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. five and
sixinch calber. Part Of their training is to mount
these pieces in Tuitabe shore positions. They are
taught 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
generally the men who start it. They open the
way 1Or Digger HSntlnS, III Sucn SnOulQ De neceS-
sary. They the forerunners of both the army
and navy. They the hurry up. clean em up
quick and eat 'em alive" boys. Except in case of
big and important fighting, the marines usually
finish the job alone. AS the marine corps all told
comprises only $1,000 men and 334 officers it could
not fight but for the dozens of smaller calls
for military aid, it is all sufficient If either the
army or navy or both to come into action
later on 1t is usually the marines who have taken
the first step against the enemy