The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-26
The Greatest Mistake Of All.

Mr.. TAFT hits the nail on the head
when he says that the ugly complica-
ton with Mexico Is the result Of a
Berles OF mistakes the greatest Of
which Is unpreparedness. Plainly
that Is the mistake Of which the
First Chief is now taking advantage
with the guile of a born politician.
With our population Of more than
100,0O0,OOO we have about $4,000
regulars In chihuahua and $4,000
more In our own territory along the
Mexican border, while we are mobiliz-
ing about 10000 National Guards.
men, o~stensibly for patrol duty In the
border States but really for campaign
ing in Mexico. That Is the sum of our
present resources.
1t will he some time. perhaps
months, before the National Guard Is
completely equipped and ready to
take the field in Mexico II war fol-
lows Mr.. WILSON'S cautious negotia-
tons with the de facto Government
to escape or postpone armed interven-
ton. The regulars have been patrol
ling the border for more than two
years and are physically fit for any
test. Those who are with General
PERsHING In chihuahua have done
some hard work In that difficult
country and know the Mexicans from
frequent contact with them. But the
National Guardsmen. in the opinion
of army officers. must undergo mill.
tary and physical training on the Dor
der. not for days but for months. be-
fore 1t would be prudent to throw
them into a campaign In support OF
the regulars.
The regulars are supposed to be
always In the pink of condition. but
campaigning in the desert sorely
tried their stamina. National Guards
men are never in the pink of condi-
ton until they have had n good deal
OF camp duty. rigorous drilling and
plenty of hiking in manTuvres. More
ONSl, tlt SltuN ltl'l IVY VI lINlu =
strangers To the ~exacting climate Of
Texas and northern Mexico. That
they must he hardened as we'll as
trained for active service In Mexico.
and that the process will take some
time, is not to he disputed.
As regards equipment, including
motor transportation and the ap-
paratus and skilled men for air
scouting, the regulars are still far
! from ready. II is not necessary 10
discuss the case Of the National Guard.
AL this the most intelligent Mexican
officers understand, and their knowl-
edge naturally leads them 10 the CON
clusiOn that whatever the future
might have in store for n truculent
Dc facto Government and It's deluded
supporters 1t can afford TO present n
brave front now m indire defiant
notes ia the United States.
What a different situation there
would he to-day If the President and
Congress, warned by portents Of the
revolution in Mexico and put On their
guard by the possibilities OF the
titanic conflict in Europe, had hast
ened in the autumn of 1914 to place
the United States on n war footing to
protect lis territory and he in a posi-
tion 10 make the Governments poll
cies respected. If the army reorgan-
ization bill had been put on the stat
ute book in October, 1914, and APP
preparations had been provided for
the complete equipment OF both the
army and the National Guard, Mex
leo would not he pcttifogging and de-
fying the United States in this sum
mer of 1915, Long since 10000 regu'
lars would have been patrolling the
border, ready if the summons should
come IN invade Mexico with ms little
delay ms marked the German nd
vance into belgium in the first days
Of August two years ago. And for
reenforccmcutS If needed there would
be 100000 more regulars and 10000
GuardSmcn and volunteers.
Mr.. TAFT is ctornally right the
present ugly complication with Mex
leo Is the result of n series or mis-
takes, imi The greatest Of all has
hoap nnbrnbnr nIu.Ss