Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-05-04
30 NOT EXPECT PEAcE'tTo RE-.
L. suLT FROM EFFORTS OF
!, u MEoIAToRs.
n WAR DOES COME WILL
INVASION De FROM NoRrH7
should viiIa's Foress Turn Against
United etatss Campaign Across Bor.
dor Would Be Ne Pink Tsa-RsbsI
Forces Much Better Armed and
Trained Than Fsdsrals.
especial Correspondence

Washington. May 4.-Tho there is
much hope here that war with Mexico
will be averted, and that even If tho
army has to go to Mexico City. there
will be no general collision with all
factions In the republic, thu mediation
program is In sufficiently ticklish
state that the army and navy officers
are continuing to sleep with one eye
open. Preparations are being per-
fected for operations and II war should
burst out, the army heads twill en-
deavor to make a record foF rapid and
effective action. 1g
A big force will be gathered along
the northern border Of Mexico If real
war comes. It may or may not march
into Mexico from the north. However.
the general star has all plans made
for such q campaign, and as part Of
the plans 1t has made a careful study
OF tho troops in Mexico. federal ana
.onstitutionalist.
Villas Army Would Be Troublesome.
Villas army is the one which will
make most trouble II the much dis
cussed general turning Of Mexicans
against the United States evenuates.
Army officers know this. They do not
believe the federal army proper, espe-
cially the part Of 1t in Mexico City
and in easy reach of 1t, is strong num-
erically or that it is we'll organized
Huerta, as viewed here, might by con-
scription get a large force together,
but 1t would not be effective.
Villas army, on the other hand, IS
both well organized and we'll equipped.
Lately. the army chiefs are informed,
It has been Quilted anew from shoes
to hats. Modern rifles and modern
artillery are possessed by this force.
Moreover 1t has had experience enough
in hard campaigning to be veteranized.
This army will stand punishment and
put up the hardest kind Of fighting.
The armies Of the other constitutional
list leaders IN the north, Oregon, Con-
zales and Caballero. also are well or
ganized and well equipped.
No Pink Tea.
Many Of the men with Villa have
done little but march and fight for
many months. They can not be over
come without heavy losses especially
8 they would fight on the defensive II
attacked by American troops. In the
constitutionalist army are some good
marksmen and there will be no pink
tea If American troops by any mis-
fortune have to go against them.
Villas troops are armed with high
power Remingtons and Mausers. For
practical purposes, these are about as
serviceable arms as those Of the Amer
lean troops. The United States army
rifle is q better weapon than either the
Mauser or Remington but within such
ranges as battles would probably be
fought the rifles Of the Mexicans
would be amply effective.
v. s. Field Artillery Best.
The field artillery of the American
army is said to be the best in the
world. Moreover, the American artil-
lerymen know how to serve the guns.
The Mexicans, both federal and consti-
tutionalist, have great deal Of mod
ern artillery. But they are lacking in
good gunners.
If there is any extensive fighting,
whether against Huerta's troops, or
Villas troops. the American artillery
may be expected to be of great service.
The American troops will fight on the
offensive and will be exposed to large
losses, unless there is efficient use Of
artillery on our side.
In the whole history of the American
army, there has>been no more brilliant
strategy and tactics than those of
Scott and Taylor in 1S46-4s. Much Of
the success was due to the brilliant
work Of such trained engineer officers
as Lee, Beauregard, Mcclellan and
men of that type, who became distin-
guished in the civil war. Fine artillery
work by the Americans was another
feature. It is likely to be so again. If
the chance is given the army to OPP
crate. The airships, for scout pur-
poses. promise to be of great value.