The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-22
American Troops Thoroughly
Prepared to Invade Mexico.
Large Amount of Munitions
Stored Near Border.
SEND SUPPLIES WHEN NEEDED
Many Improvements Made in
Equipment of Army.
Have ArmOred Trucks and Lat.
est Air Machines.

San Antonio, June ga high army
official is authority for the statement
that operations in Mexico will not be
delayed by the lack of the sinews of
war. Furthermore, he declared, fac
tories are in a position to keep sup
plies coming as fast as they are need
ed. He pointed out that the govern
ment had taken the precaution to
make large preliminary purchases as
we'll as to increase the output of it's
arsenals. Vast quantities of ammuni-
ton and supplies are already in stor-
age in Mexico and at points near the
border. These are considered suf-
ficient to start the regular army and
the organized militia in general cam
paign, and sources of replenishment of
supply are open.
During the three months American
troops have been in Mexico such inn
provement has been made in the
army's organization and equipme emit
that officers here admitted today that
it is far better prepared for war at
the present time than if the break
with Mexico had come Immediately
after the Villa raid.
Use 500 Motor Trucks
The greatest forward step has been
made in the transportation depart
When General Pershing started his
pursuit of Villa in the middle of
March, the quartermaster corps did
not have a single motor truck as a
part of the supply system: now there
are upwards of 500 machines in the
service.
These trucks are of heavy build.
capable of carrying loads varyinG
from one and a half to three tons. All
of them are in use along the border
and in Mexico at the present time and
arrangements have been made with
factories for an additional supply. Not
only have the trucks been used for the
transportation of supplies but they are
being employed to rush troops from
place to place. Experiments have
proven that entire regiments can be
moved in trucks much more rapidly
than cavalry, the faS- arm of the serv-
ice, can operate.
Has ArmOred MaciurCs.
In addition to the supply train sys-
tenn, motor transportation has been
extended to other branches within the
last three months. Automobile am
balances have been adopted, big water
tanks for the supply of troops moving
through barren country have been
mounted on trucks and General Fun
ston has even gone so far as to secure
guns are mounted. All of this equip
ment is either already in use or avail
able for instant use.
A large increase has been made in
the number of motorcycles in use by
the army. Some of these machines
are of special construction with ma
chine gun attachments.
Improve Air Equipment.
The beginning of the campaign in
Mexico showed the need of high pow
cred aerop1anes and those of the old
type have been discarded for power
full planes of the latest design These
machines are now at Columbus and
will be sent into Mexico as soon as new
propeIlers have been provided.
The long stretches of territory to be
covered in Mexico have led to marked
betterments in the field wireless
equipment and buzzer telegraph lines
The latest acquisition is consignment
of strong searchlights to aid in locat-
ing the foe in night engagements. The
thick brush in Mexico makes it easy
for men to escape in the night but
officers believe that by use of search
toll, ca1 NO detected