The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-21
Military Needs ,of the United States Tn Event
 of War With Mexico
Uncle Sam Has Thousands of Men Ready and Willing spond to Call to Arms But Woefuy Shy of Officers
 and Equipment Size Job to Subdue Mexico
By CAPT. c. H. MANDY

| While every one is thinking seriously l of the possible outcome of the situation with our Southern border nation, there
 is no one able to see the far-reaching re-
 suits that might happen should the ! United States clash with Mexico in armed
 conflict
 Just now it seems that the present ruler, General Carranza, is working in | harmony with our army, but it is the | opinion of many that neither he nor any of his officers will be able to control the Mexican people and prevent clash
 that may cause a real war There has been deep seated contempt for the American people raised in Mexico by the apparent indifference with which we have l looked on while our people in that coun- | try have been murdered; the average | Mexican thinks that the hated "Gringo" 1 can be treated as he sees fit, with no { fear of retaliation from Uncle Sam.
 | No doubt this knowledge, gained by l long service on the border, has caused ! the military forces to delay the present | movement into Mexico until there was a l proper force on the way to re-enforce
 them should there be combine of all | the Mexican factions against the Ameri- | cans. When this combine is made | an invading army of 10000 men, but of
 100,0 or more; there will be also need | ed large force to patrol the border and
 prevent an invasion of this country. Some days ago there was published an extract | from a Mexican paper that Villa had | captured Texas and Arizona and that
 President Wilson and his family were fleeing to Canada for safety Such ig- | norance led by their popular heroes will l cause them to raise large army.
 MAN SIZE JOB
 | The American people generally have only a slight conception of war with Mexico. When we realize that Mexico | is as large in territory, if not larger.
 than the Confederate states, and has a
 more mountainous and desert country, we will begin to see the real man size l job of conquering and policing this big l territory. To protect the lines of com
 munication, through such rough territory,
 making the wagon and motor trains safe,
 will require a large number of men.
 The recent law passed by congress add 1 ing 20000 men to the regular army will 1 help out very much. The war strength
 of an infantry company is now 150 men, l a cavalry troop more than a hundred and a battery of artillery 180 men. So we see at a glance that the addition of i 10000 men will hardly bring the present organization up to full strength.
 l This addition is only for the enlisted | force and adds not a single commissioned l officer to the army. The real need for many years has been for officers; we | have not had sufficient officers to take care of the demands in time of peace. At the time of the Spanish-American war
 many of the regular army companies were l in command of second lieutenants, the senior officers being detailed with the volunteer and National Guard regiments.
 FEDERALIZE NATIONAL GUARD Congress should take swift action
 toward passing the proper laws for the | federalizing of the National Guard and
 for the formation of volunteer outfits while there is time for their proper