The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-04-22
u. S. Marines Always
First on Enemy'S SOIL

President Huerta persists in his
attitude OF refusal 10 salute the flag
of these United States, and hundreds
OF American marines swarmed from
the small boats OF the invading fleet
riding in the harbor and advanced a
glistening cloud in open order, on the
fortres, OF Vera Cruz 10 open the
lighting.
That is the business OF the United
states marine corps-to open the
fighting. They did il in Cuba, in the
Philippines, in Tripoli. on the coast
OF Africa, in Japan-wherever our
lighting has been started from the sea
II is a heritage handed down TO them.
policemen or the sea" from>a che
Phoenicians and other ancient adven-
turers who went down TO the sea in
ships and gained treasure and tribute
by right OF sword and conquest.
The United states and Great Brit
ain are the only two world powers
who use the marine corps. The Unit
ed states marine corps is modelled aft
er that OF Great Britain.
Away back. centuries ago, all sea-
| hghting was done by soldiers bow
men and spearmen. The sailors look
ed 10 the navigation OF the ships. II
was so even I'm the days OF the sail
| ing vessels.
In 1853 Admiral Blake founded the
| British marine corps by enlisting sol
| dier-s 20 act as rifemen I'm his action
against Van Tromp The British
marine corps was abolished and re-or-
gani2ed time and again.
Then England, following her press
gang system, enlisted and conscrtpt-
ed men. spawn OF the cutters OF Ports
mouth and London and GTayesend.
| These men did not want 10 sail In the
ships. They were bad men, with an
Impotence OF authority They were
unruly.
The government then organized the
marine corps again TO act as police
over these men They did their work
so we'll that they earned the title OF
Royal Marines" and the 'undying
hatred OF British sailors!
I'm June, 1875, Continental Con
lgress, by an act founded the United
States marine corps under the com
Iuand of one major. Samuel Nichols,
captains. 10 first Heutenants and z
second lieutenants. This force gained
laurels in the naval and coast actions
in the revolutionary war.
AT the close OF the war the marine
corps died. probably of inertia. In the
war OF 1912 the urgent need OF sea
soldiers drew the marine corps to-
gether again as If by magic and in
the terrific fighting OF the lakes, in
/ New Orleans. in all OF the coast bat
ties, this branch OF the service bore
the brunt OF the fighting and impress
cd the needs OF this kind or body on
the people OF the country.
With cambridge in the war with
Tripoli went a full quota OF this
marine corps. They did the heavy
/ fighting with the Beys and brought
victory To the American arms. Again.
when Japan insulted the United
States, Gordon OF these sailor sol
diers brought the apology and atone
ment.
In the civil war the marine corps
rendered service in the blockading
fleets and in battle. like Fort Fisher
and other coast actions. But their
original purpose, that of policing the
ships and the sailors against both at
tack from the enmity and mutiny on
board had almost passed. They were
still a bulwark OF defense, but their
police work had been usuTped by the
sailors themselves.
With the coming OF the heavy guns,
the usefulness OF the marine in sea
actions was discounted. When two
fleets engage in action now, they fight
at five miles distance. throwing tons
OF projectiles aimed by geometric in
ventions.
So in times OF peace the United
States marine corps was relegated 10
the Job of guarding naval stations
and naval bases.
In 1908 President Roosevelt as com
mander-in-chief of the United States
army and navy, removed the United
States marine corps from the compile
ment OF our battleships and set them
10 policing naval bases and naval sta
lions beyond the continental limits OF
the United States and 10 guarding the
Panama canal zone
! And now the war cloud looms black
against the horizon And the marines
have been called back TO their Job.
~