Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-03-27
INVASION OF MEXICO BY AMERI-
CAN TROOPS WOULD BE NO
PICNIC.
MANY DIFFICULTIES IN WAY
MexIcans Would Not Stake All on One
Battle, and Campaign Might Be
Prolonged for Months
and Years.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.


say that If the American troops are
ordered into Mexico to straighten out
the conditions there the task will be
wars work and not a pleasant excur-
sion. as some people seem thought
lessly to hold.
There are about $4,000 troops within
striking distance of northern Mexico.
This, heavily reinforced, can be made
into an army corps big enough to
cope with any force which Mexico can
throw quickly into the field: but the
difficulty will be that the Mexican
probably will not throw one big armed
contingent into the open to gain or
to lose all in one battle.
The last time the troops were sent
to the Mexican border in any great
number was in the fall of 1891. when
CATERING E. Cara and a company of
followers made raid from Texas
across the Rio Grande and took Mex
lean military post. putting the COM
mandant end large number Of en-
listed men to the sword. Cara and
his band then retraced their steps
into United States territory. taking
to the chaparral along the lower Rio
Grande, where they continued to con-
duct a flibustering warfare and to
commit robberies on both sides of the
river
1t was believed at the time that
Cara was in league with a political
party in Mexico. and that he intended
to incite revolution in the south
ern republic, the object of which was
to drive Diaz out of power and to
take up the reins of government. The
Mexican officials asked the United
States to arrest the filibusterers. who.
using American territory as a base.
were making forays into the territory
of Mexico.
Officers Of Experience.
There are several officers of the
army who have been ordered to Texas.
possibly later to go with the forces
into Mexico, who had a part in the
attempt of this government to re-
press the activities of the Cara rev.
olutionists and to arrest the leader
and his followers. These officers
know the nature of duty which will
meet them in Mexico. II it happens
that the American soldiers shall be
called upon to take the field against
the combined federals and constitu-
tionalists.
The Rio Grande rolls its yellow
length lazily along the border for
many hundred miles. Its chaparral
and desert bordered banks for many
years have been at times the scene of
strife. In places the tangled trails in
the mesquite and prickly pear thick
cts have. been the lurking places of
white ruffians warning against prop
erty and life on both sides of the Dor
der. Westward and southwark of the
river the sandy and rocky stretches
years ago were almost constantly trav-
ersed by hostile bands of Indians.
1t took the troops of the United
States government, which were thrown
into the field in 1891. nearly two years
to round up and capture the band Of
CATERING E. Cara. The nature of the
country where the bandits operated
was particularly adapted to conceal
ment, and in a large measure 1t is
the same kind Of country in which
some bands in Mexico are conducting
their operations. OF course towns
have been attacked and the open coun-
try has been traversed by the men
in rebellion against the Mexican gov
eminent, but the almost impenetrable
hiding places and. in some cases, the
almost impregnable natural forts are
not far distant from the scene Of &C.
ton.
Miqht Continue for Years.
The army of defense in such a case
needs only to be small to hold off an
army of offense, and, moreover. the
Mexicans, after defeat in open battle.
will divide into bands, and by conduct
ing a guerrilla warfare, can hold of
the end of defeat for months and pos
sibly for years, unless the counsel Of
the leaders prevail and they think
the better course is that OF sur
render.
Many difficulties of the country in
which the American troops must oper-
ate IL they invade Mexico is known
to the American military authorities.
Some of them have campaigned in the
country
The difficulties of the situation and
the troubles that will come in an at
I tempt to round up an active and elu-
sive foe are thoroughly appreciated by
the military authorities in Washing.
ton. 1t is not probable that they are
pleased to have the country think that
the troubles can be ended quickly II
the army crosses into the territory OF
the southern country.
Another Split Probable.
Some of the politicians in Washing.
ton are predicting that before long
there will be another division In the
ranks of the Republican party. The
Progressives are no longer to be con.
sidered as Republicans although some
men. probably for reasons of their
own continue an tn call than Tho