Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-10-24

Washington, Oct. 24.-President WIZ
son and his campaigners may claim the
United states is not and has not been
at war with Mexico, but members OIL
| General Pershing's half starved auo
half dead command. returning to WASH
ington for treatment, are living evil
dence of war.
One of these is Capt. Philip H. Sher-
idan, Jr., son of the famous cavairs
general in the civil war. A few months
ago, young Sheridan went across tfe
line with several thousand other youhs
Americans under orders from President
Wilson ito get Villa dead or allFe.
A few days ago Sheridan, VINO
weighed $50 pounds when he went into
Mexico, arrived in Washington, weigh
ing less than 100 pounds as result OF
his experiences there. He was so blind
that he could not recognize his wife,
who was at the station to meet him.
Son Of Sheridan Victim.
Sheridan's condition is the result OF
President Wilson's fiat refusal to per-
nit proper steps to be taken for the
care of the Pershing army after ne
ordered it into Mexico. Hundreds oil
other soldiers, officers and men. are on
their way back in similar shape. Or-
ders have been received by the COM
mandant of the Walter Reed army hos
pital here to prepare for at least zoo oil
them Reports from the border indi-
cate that many of these are half pima.
others suffering terribly from the raw
ages of dysentery brought on by impure
water, and still others suffering from
wounds received in skirmishes with
Mexicans.
Among the recent arrivals here was
an army officer who went as far into
Mexico as any other man. When asked
TO relate some of his experiences, ne
said:
..Of course you know we are under
orders not to talk
Later a friend with whom he chatted
told some of the things he said
Never Properly Supplied.
According to this officer the men with
Pershing were never properly supplied
with arms, ammunition, clothing, food,
fuel. or medicine. b.
They went into Mexico under the as
sumption they would be cared for, and
after they got there found they had to
live on the country. They had money
with which to purchase supplies. but
they were under orders not to requisi-
tion any without payment. At first the
Mexicans refused to sell and when they
did sell they did sojat enormous prices.
For several weeks, during the early
part of the drive south. the men mad
absolutely no sleep. Soldiers and Off
GERS alike preferred to ride by night or
to dance around fire kind!ed from
wood they gathered themselves TO at
tempting sleep without proper protec-
ton from the bitterly cold nights
Long ago. this .officer told his
friend. I'VE ceased wondering why we
were sent into Mexico or why we were
kept there. For time officers and
men alike had good sport betting on
the date of withdrawal. After the first
two weeks every man in the command
realized that, hamstrung as they were
by the orders from Washington, there
was little chance of capturing Villa
The Persning expedition, according 10
this officer, has created feeling IN
Mexico which ii will take years to
wipe out.
IF Intervention ever becomes neces-
sary." he said, we viii face united
Mexico. All other issues will De
thrown aside by the people, who will
join to fight common foe, the worst
hated foe in the world today, without
doubt The feelings Of the Germans to-
ward England is mild compared with
| the feelings of the average Mexican to-
| wards the United States now. Had
| Pershing been given carte blanche to
do what was necessary to get Villa, as
the American people we're at first in
| formed he had been, he would have
gotten the bandit, and he would have
taught the Mexicans good lesson. But
they tasted blood at Carrizal and they
won't be satisfied until they taste it
! again"