The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-06-24

George E. Hyde of Mexico City,
Mexico, correspondent there some
years for the New York Times and
formerly connected with the Mexican
Herald, a newspaper published in that
city in both the English and Spanish
language, was in BrattIeboro vester-
day and today. He is recuperating
from Il long illness contracted in Vera
Cruz, where he was at the time of the
American occupation, and was here on
his way to pay a visit to Paul Hud-
son of West Halifax, former editor of
the Mexican Herald
Mr.. Hyde is by no means optimis-
tic over the situation as revealed by
the dispatches Yesterday He said that
he sincerely hoped that the United
States would not attempt any actual
step Of warfare until fully prepared.
From his intimate knowledge of the
MeXicans he sail that to send a few
thousand troops into that country,
leaving 4 small command here and an
other there to garrison important
points on the lines of communication
would be suicidal.
The MeXicans, so per cent of whom
are so iIhteratc that they cannot read
or write more than their names and
- ucr cent of whom cannot do even
that, will never fight in open battle
against anywhere near equal forces
| 1t win be constant guerrilla warfare
and one that, 81 Read over a country
as large as Europe if Russia were
eliminated from the comparison, viii
mean a long and unsatisfactory job.
| He offers no solution of the question
| except what he believes is the desire
Of every officer in touch with the ac
tuaI situation, that the government
muster at least between 100000 ant
! 100000 men and make a quick, sure
| and positive business of straighten
! ing out the affairs of that nation al
least so far as they concern the Unit
ed States Mi. Hyde believes that vol
unteers should be called for wis
would total more than the presen
| National Guard force that has beer
called to the front.
After reading the dispatches YES
I terday afternoon he said that in hi
! opinion there was no question but tina
war was inevitable and that the differ
emit factions in Mexico were remark
ably Well prepared except, in SOM
parts, in the matter Of food.
The prospect that the various mill
tary leaders in the several states 0
Mexico will unite against a common
enemy he does not regard as probable
He says that there is too much petit
jealousy and lack of confidence in eac.
other. He believes that each Of ther
with his followers, once war is dc
|, clared, will return to his individual
territory and there fight his individual
battles with prospect of assistanc
J now and then from neighboring lead
ers.
He says that there are American
who have lived in Mexico City s
long that they have no desire to r,
turn to the United States. who wi
remain there under any or all circun
stances. Besides them are a few youn
men willing to take chances for wha
: is excellent pay, but the total nun
Der Will not exceed 80 and may ne
be so large.
Mr.. Hyde expects to report in Ne,
York in few lays for duty. He say
he is willing to return to Mexico Cit
if his paper considers it the be:
) thing to do, but personally he believe
2 that he would be able to get materi;
to his paper Just as quickly and 6
completely if he went in with the frs
American column as he would be alb
to do if he attempted to precede it.
He has no fear Of arrest as a So
; for he was born in Mexico City {
American parents ami has been co