Evening star., 1914-04-26
Gen. Mas Threat Vain.

retake the city proved a vain threat
There was no indication all day of any
iikeiihood of an early assault on Vera
Cruz. A battalion Of marines from the
South Carolina is we'll intrenched nearly
three miles west of the city toward the
capital, from which direction the ap-
proach of the Mas army probably will
De made. Tonight Admiral Badger is
tnrowing an arc of marines and blue
Jackets further beyond the city. There
is no chance whatever OF surprise, and
Admiral Badger is slowly but surely lay
ing the base for military operations
against Mexico City. That campaign may
never be carried. out, but preparations
are going forward just as though it was
to be undertaken at once. The citizens
know there Is no bluff about the United
States attitude here and that assurance
is being sent inland to the capital.
Army officers will soon be in command
here. with the intent that they will pre-
pare for a campaign to either capture
Huerta or drive him out of the country
1t was understood here today that or
ders have been given for another brigade
to follow the one that sailed yesterday
from Galveston.
There is no question of conflict between
the army and navy about authority Sec
retary Daniels has notified Rear Admirais
Badger and Fletcher that they are to be
renewed, as soon as practicable, by army
officers. and high naval officers confirm
the friendly feeling of cooperation that
exists between the two arms of the
American fighting force.
1T is not to be presumed" said one of
the fleet commanders to me today, "that
employment Of the navy in operating
vera cruz or any other city will last
one day longer than is necessary to
tions before substituting the army
Army Can Do Work Cheaper.
Expensive gun captains, torpedo gun
ners and mechanical experts of the fleet
have been specially trained for a different
kind of service than they are performing
here. They are. as 1t were, out of their
element But the army, which is rated
as low pay organization, has been
trained for precisely the sort of field
service that it would be called upon to
perform In campaign in Mexico The
army could do the shore work better and
why it will be sent here to do it.
While there are but 5000 marines and
blue1ackets ashore, there are about Is. 600
with the fleet engaged In the operations
here. The navy deteriorates every day
1t Is engaged in such work out of its
natural element: The gunners lose ac-
curacy away from their gun-traininR
practice, they lose the benefit of their
oally drills. They are broken away from
the routine Of their daily lives, and rou-
tine means everything in the navy.
We expect that by this time next
week the one army brigade ordered
here will be established ashore. and
the populace will have learned that
they have nothing to fear from ag-
marines and bluejackets will be with
drawn. We may. however, be kept in
Mexican waters and particularly guard
ing this port for long time. We
VIII be kept here with our big guns
we are prepared to come instantly to
the defense or support OF our brothers
In arms. And when the army en-
gineers have taken over and put in
capital and to other cities that ext
gencies of the war may force the
United States Army to approach, it will
be possible for the $4,000 marines and
bluejackets to render expeditions and
valuable services as a reinforcing body
whenever. II ever. the army is hard
pressed.
Aim to Educate Populace.
1T will be the first duty when the
army lands here to convince the citizens
that the soldiers are here with but one
purpose. to punish huerta and those who
come to his support. and that the Presi-
dent meant just what he said when he
affirmed the United States hoped to see
the Mexicans soon readjust their own
government and enjoy peace. and that
the United States had no quarrel with
the Mexican people as nation. but with
the dictator. who. by repeated insults
and affronts. had defied and scorned the
honor of the United States.
When the populace learns. as we hope
we are teaching them, that We are glad
to feed them, to shelter them, to pro-
vide for their health by sanitation, and
that we will help to nurse those whom
our guns have wounded, then they will
offer no resistance. but really aid US by
spreading a pacific feeling among their
Don't let any one try to persuade you
that there is any conflict OF authority
between the army and the navy here
We are working in cooperation and we
are frank to admit that the army can do
better work ashore than the navy"