Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-23
On tho Brink of War

N/hAI nope there was of evadng inter
Vention in Mexico vanished practically
when detachment of Carranzista soldiers
opened fire. treacherousy and from the pro-
lection of a flag OF truce. on n scouting party
OF American troops. There is no use in try
ing TO blink the obvious: we face war and
when it comes, it may at any hour. there
will be work for all Of us to do
This is no holiday iaunt on which the
American troops in Mexico and on the
border and the gallant fellows who in every
city and town Of this country flock TO the
coiors are about to embark. 1t is a cruel
mistake TO regard Intervention III any such
light 1t is a serious and dangerous under
taking that will cost dearly in life and
treasure.
adequate material return it promises, COM
bined with tho unselnsh desire Of tho admin
istratl0n to aid Mexico, rather than to harm
her, nave been the ample justification Of
president Wilson'S policy of ''watchful wait
ing, No American executive, with proper
sense OF his responsibility and due regard
Tor the sacredness of American lives. could
nave acceded 10 the rawlings Of The limoges
ana the Diaz concessionaircs and plunged his
country into Mexican war on any provoca-
tion save the highest.
But now responsibility has passed out of
Presiden, Wilson'S hands; Carranza to all
intents and purposes, has said there sha he
people, who with perfect loyalty support the
Presidents course, courageously to await the
issue
But they need not. and should not. be
b!ihd to that issues import SO far as shat
terlhg Carran2a's armies is concerned we
anticipate no insurmountable difficulties and
military experts at Washington express the
conviction that two or three pitched battles
Will sufhce. These are likely to be bloody
battles however. and beyond them lies the
larger and much more complicated task of
occupying and pacifyng Mexico That will
he an enterprise 10 try mems souls
we do not say these things to discourage
enlistments. but rather 10 encourage enlist
ments of the right sort. Those who believe
they are going on a picnic should stay at
nome, Tor this honorable and dangerous adj
venture. wherein they are likely TO find much
more hardship than plea sure, is not for them.
We would not have the boys of Richmond and
of Virginia accept service blindtold They
should know beforehand what reasonably
they may expect. and 60 into the ranks with
fearless eyes wide opened 10 what they must
endure
Estimates of the army Carranza can nut
into the field vary between 100 900 and $780,
900 men. a large proportion OF these have
been lighting steadily for the last five or six
Years They are we'll armed and most of
them are well mounted They are highly
mobile troops enabled to move without ex-
tehslve wagon trains, Indifferent to needs
inbred in our own soldiers. acquainted init
matey with every inch of the territory over
which they will fight, commanded by officers
skilled i'll this method Of warfare and so in
position to evade accept battle largely at
their own will We shall dispose OF them
but not so easily as some joyous and opti-
MYSTIC spirits appear inclined to think
The War Department does not under
estimate the seriousness or the difficulties OF
me situation; it knows that both are great
There should be no failure OF comprehension
on the part Of the American public Those
VINO 20 TO fight the battles OF their country
should feel behind them the supporting arms
OF united people. for they go to certain and
deadly danger. National hysteria would he
as contemptihle as it is unnecessary but clear
uhderstahdlns Is duty and sympathyAand
loyal hepfulness are obligations that none Of
us should seek to evade