The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-05-05
RAID OF COLUMBUS AND LETTER
OF ADMIRAL FISKE CAUSE
CRITICISM.
DISCIPLINE IS LACKING
High Officials Aroused by the Condi'
lions Indicated by These In
cidents.


are giving much attention to per-
sistent and disquieting reports in
circulation touching the situation
which exists both in the army and
navy. The President found it neces-
sary recently, after thorough in
uuiry in to the condition of the avia-
ton corps of the army, which investi-
CATION was taken only after Senator
Robinson, of Arkansas, had introduc-
ed an official resolution, demanding
such inquiry, to reprimand the head
of the aviation corps. In addition.
changes were made among the COM
handing officers of the corps, thus
emphasizing the fact that this most
important service was in bad shape.
1t had been openly charged, and 1t
has not been denied, that the condi-
lions in the aviation corps made 1t
possible for young officers who had
offered their services in this corp to
be sent up in airships which were
known as death traps" and to be
killed when these death traps" col
lasped and fell to the earth.
How Did II Happen?
Now serious attention is being Civ
en- a situation which made it possible
for band of wandering Mexican ban
dts to cross the international bor-
der, raid the town of Columbus, N.
NJ, even when that town was the
headquarters for the United States
trops, kill a number of citizens and
soldiers and make their escape. II
has been stated by persons who were
in Columbus at the time that the
houses of each of the United States
officers there were completely sur
rounded by bandits before the pres
ence of the latter in Columbus was
known. 1t is now positively asserted
that a Douglas, Ariz., newspaper had
printed a warning two days before to
the effect that this raid was being
planned.
Now, members of Congress are ask
ing, especially those who have been
supporting the National Guard, in the
face of alleged uncalled for attacks
by regular army offers on the State
organizations, to the effect that these
latter lack efficiency. This has raised
the query. What would the regular
army have said, had this attack taken
Llace while Columbus was guarded
by the National Guard of Arizona, or
of any other State?
Serious Situation Result.
Unfortunately, the negligence
which permitted this invasion by
Mexican bandits did not result alone
in the deaths of several citizens and
soldiers, but it was directly respon-
sible for the present punitive expedi-
ton into Mexico which threatens to
involve the United States in much
more serious complications with that
country than probably would other
wise have resulted.
Another instance, this time touch
ing the navy, which, like the army, is
strong in it's talk discipline, this al
legged discipline being one of the sup
posed features of military life which
makes the latter the most to be adj
mired, is suggested by the controver-
sy which has arisen form the attack
made by Admiral Bradley A. Fiske,
of the navy, on the wine mess order
of Secretary Posephus Daniels.
Fiske's Presumption.
Entirely aside from the question
as to whether the Surgeon General of
the navy was right in his recOmmen-
dations touching the effect OF the use
of wine on officers of the navy, or
whether Secretary Daniels was right
in issuing that order, the question
now is being asked, What of the dis
cipline which is suggested as prevail
ing in the navy if one like Admiral
Fiske can, with impunity, write a
letter not only questioning, but at
tacking his superior officer?
It is being suggested that in these
days when the efforts of the admins
tration are being properly put forth
TO arouse the interest of the young
men of the country in enlistments in
the army and navy, that examples Of
lack of discipline such as that set by
Admiral Fiske is not apt to have the
desired effect in connection with the
Strengthening of the navy, either in
officers or men.
Secretary Was Ignored.
To aggravate the offense of Admir-
al Fiske, Secretary Daniels now
states that this communication by
Fiske was not even furnished to him,
and that he did not know its exis-
tence until long after it had been
written. Continuing, the Secretary