New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-20
WHY KEEP GUARD AT BORDER2
Either Intervention Potential Crisis Border Raids Must Be
the Cause-But Intensive Training Is Not Taking Place,
Nor Are Troops Being Replaced
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

Sir: 1t is becoming OF increasing i'm
portance each day for the country &c
consider what the National Guard is
accomplishing on the border and what
il is learning. AS an ex-member Of the
New York division, just back from
Mexico, have been surprised to find
how little is known in New York as 70
just what the boys are doing. In view
of the fact that we have spent $500,
100000 for this concentration and to
maintain the guard on the border, and
also in view of President 'Eliot's state
ment that President Wilson has accom-
plished such a wonderful thing by call
ing out the guard and showing the de-
fects of the system, it is fitting that we
should study into these defects some
what.
The guard must be on the border for
one of the following three reasons;
First-That we intend to make war
on Mexico and intervene;
Second-That there is potential
crisis which may come to life at any
minute which may necessitate our MAX
ing war on Mexico;
Third-That conditions are exactly
the same as they have been for several
years and the border patrol is needed
TO keep down raids, but there is no pos
sibility of war; or else there is no real
reason for maintaining the guard on
the border because there is no war nor
danger of war.
If either of the first two reasons for
maintaining the guard on the border Is
correct, then the guard should be re-
ceiving intensive training to prepare 1t
to make war efficiently. If the third
reason for maintaining the guard on
the border is correct, suitable arrange
ments should be made as rapidly as
possible to supplant the guard by regu-
lars, as in this case a border patrol
would be required for an indefinite
period; and It is not fair to the In
dividuals in the guard nor Is 1t wise
economic policy to keep these men
from their business indefinitely.
If, on the other hand, it is correct
that there is no danger of war, then Of
course the guard should be withdrawn
at once.
The New York division of the guard
on the border is not securing intensive
training. The conditions vary some
what in different regiments, but speak
ing for the major part Of the troops
the training includes about four hours
drill day, three in the morning and
one in the afternoon.
Military efficiency may be sum-
married. under three headings-phy-
steal training, technical training and
discipline.
As to physical training: The guard
has been somewhat hardened. Or this
there Is no question. But, on the other
hand. it must be remembered that
under extremely severe conditions such
"a exist on the border a man either
gains rapidly or loses rapidly. Inc
true test is his recuperative powers
and the time which is required to bring
him back to normal conditions after
severe effort. The number of men who
have broken down under the severe
training is gradually increasing, but
those who are holding out are gaming
in strength. On the whole, the phy-
steal condition of the majority of the
guard is improved, but not as much as
might have been expected nor as mucn
ga should have been the case If care
full programme was laid out in which
the excessive heat of the day would be
avoided and all the work accomplished
in the early morning or in the after
noon. This does not mean, however,
that even the middle Of the day neec
be wasted.
The medical conditions are notori-
ors,v had II ia wonder to all who
have experienced it that men who are
supposed to be Of a rather high calioIe
should assume such detached attitude
toward the men. Instance after in
stance of sheer neglect, in some cases
even resulting in death, have occurred
in the New York division. when one