Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-08-08


war the Mexican situation fades into
insignificance, but in spite OF the sud.
den switch OF public interest, the fact
remains that handful Of American
soldiers are still holding Vera Cruz,
and that the situation cant last in.
definitely.
The following account Of conditions
in the Mexican port, written by one
on the spot for The Outlook. gives a
good idea or existing conditions:
In Vera Cruz, where the military
forces Of the United States and Gen.
efal Hnerta are face to face, we know
less OF the actual relations OF the two
governments than is known in any
other city Of the two republics. Here.
while watchfully waiting. our atten.
ton IL confined by circumstances to
the magnificent efficiency OF the mil.
tary organization, which landed the
expeditionary force and to the entirely
conplacent attitude Of the Mexican
population toward the foreign army.
The army has proved itself so far
not only magnificently efficient, but
its attitude toward the Mexicans Is
almost absurdly friendly. The SOL
diers are playing with the children
and joking In pigeon Spanish with the
poems ] have just overheard a pri-
rate say: Il suppose these greasers
lie like the devil but when one OF
them rubs his tiimmy and begs !
shorely have 10 give him nickel
The shops are all open There is a
band concert In he plaza every even.
Ing, the theaters are open. and the
cafes crowded with Americans and
Mexicans every evening
But the opera'buffe state OF siege
under which we live does not conceal
the grave consequences which viii fol-
low q failure OF the Intermediates
Efforts or the grave difficulties which
confront them IncluEing brigade OF
marines. tour regiments Of infantry, a
battalion OF artillery, and two troops
OF cavalry. there are not more than
5000 American troops In Vera Cruz,
Many Of the infantry companies have
been allowed to fall far below their
peace strength. and now number only
40 men, or third OF the proper com.
pany strength on war footing Many
Of the mules In the mountain artillery
are too old II Galveston and Texas
City there are about 5000 more troops
So that. All told, there are. 10000
troops available, or less than half the
number necessary TO constitute Q
force sufficient to advance to the cap
fure q Mexico City. Competent mill
tAry authorities believe that an army
OF $4,000 or $4,000 men will be suffi
cient TO force its way through to the
capital. TO capture the city. and tenn
porarily to maintain the line of com
munication with the base at Vera
Cruz All authorities whom had an
opportunity to consult in Washington
and those whom ! have talked with
here are agreed that, in the event Of
the opening OF hostilities. the capture
Of the capital transcends in immediate
importance any other stragetic step
IN an invasion Of the north from the
Texas frontier should prove necessary
that expedition would be delayed until
an army could be assembled here. Au
tborities disagree as to the number oil
men necessary to supplement the force
kUMIu1uS tuC tInG VI COiMAIuutCdO0l
between Vera Cruz and Mexico City
and required to occupy other southern
cities. But not less than 10000 and
possibly as many as $4,000 volunteers
win be required to augment the orig
inal forces.
Philippine experience proves con
clusively that the staff officers Of tn,
volunteer regiments should be draw
from the regular army. and that tn,
control Of the regiments. inclrdihg thu
commissioning. transfer. and promo
ton Of officers, should be entirely il
the hands of Federal authorities
The disorganization of Mexican SC
ciety, the dissension among the ele
ments out Of which a REASONABLE.
strong and reasonably Just govern
ment might be constituted. make tn,
Mexican situation Incredibly difficult
The long reign OF Porfirio Diaz-h
was monarch rather than pres
dentaccustomed the people to autoC
facy by an individual The disorder