Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-02-06

Sfh w raguan revolution, to guard the polls
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 country's 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 a moments notice and
smother the incipient blaze In fact, their hurried
appearance the 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-
fed hill near Mexico City, where the ancient Aztec
rulers held sway.
ITO the shores of Tripoll?" Yes. 1t 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 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 mere geographical list of countries,
1t is a roster of some of the countries in which
service 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 pile of coal.
Or dig magazine,
Though our job-lots they manifold
Who would not be Mariner"
Ubiquitous they are in field of action Manifold
are their duties. Amphbious creatures also they
are fighting by land sea. They are called
"soldiers of the sea-" Ready for fun 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 man the sixinch.
fveinch and three,inch 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. ave and
sixnch caliber. Part of their training is to mount
these pieces in suitable shore positions. They are
taught the various methods of singing and trans
porting ordnance.
form peaceful duties, according to need. And
when there is any fighting to be- done, they are
generally the men who start IT, They open the
way for bigger lighting If such should be neces-
sary. They are the forerunneib of both the army
and navy They are the hurry up, clean em up
quick and eat 'em alive boys Except in case OF
big and important ighting, the marines usually
finish the job alone. AS the marine corps all told
comprises only 10000 and 1874 officers. 1t could
not fight war but for th$ dozens Of smaller calls
for military aid It is a Igufcient II either the
army or navy or bohkisfe to come into action
later on II is usually thl lSnarines who have taken
the first step against the ,Anemy. y