River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-06-29
Uncle Sans Posi-
ton in Mexico
By James A. Frear, M. C.

with the Mexican situation. lmpOT-
tantchanges may occur within forty
eight hours but to those who do not
follow movements along the border,
it can be said briefly that differences
with the Carranza Government
first arose through our Governments
claim of right to keep its soldiers in
Mexico where they were sent after
Villa. Carranza told us in diplo-
matte language to "get out" and IN
the exchange of diplomatic letters
he was advised that unless he could
get Villa, our troops would stay and
undertake the job.
In the first clash. detachment Of
the Tenth Cavalry (colored) killed a
dozen or more Mexicans and lost
many of their own number. Just
where the blame rests will probably
be matter Of controversy because
all such affairs have two Sides. as
was the case with the sinking of the
Maine which precipltated the Cuban
war. At this writing, war is only to
be declared as last resort. No glory
will come from a war with Mexico.
The last census shows over rs per
cent of the Mexicans over II years
of age, cannot write, whereas the
average for this country is TT per
cent, or only about one-tenth Of the
illiteracy average Of Mexico, while
Wisconsin has only about 3 per cent
unable to write, or less than one
half the general average Of this
country. With ignorance, poverty,
and corruption in control and an
exhaustive revolution for several
years. Mexico is about the least re-
sponsible and most miserable country
in the Western hemisphere. Pitted
against the most powerful govern
ment, in many respects, in the en-
tire world, the situation is one that
will reflect little credit on US what
ever the outcome.
We are in the position of a giant,
annoyed by a puny drunken man,
and it isuncertain whether we should
keep pushing him off at arms le44kth
or give him a sound spanking. I'm
fortunately, in internal matters we
have no court to which we can ap-
peal, or jail in which to put the cul-
prit, while on the other hand, any
wild Drained, ignorant bandit chief
tain, blessed with little brief auth
ority can make trouble at this par
ticular time.
Calling out the National Guard
serves one good purpose. During
recent preparedness" legislation.
regular army critics have discounted
the value of the National Guard in
favor of volunteer summer camps
and other proposed substitutes. The
ability to put 100000 fairly we'll
drilled civilian soldiers along the
border within 80 days if need be. is
an answer to such critics and under
the new army bill the Guard may be
increased to 100000. Much controv
ersv exists over the relative value of
volunteer troops compared to those
in the regular army, but after
spending a five years enlistment
many years ago in the regular army
and double that length of time in
the Wisconsin National Gaurd. the
writer believes that the Guard of
our State with a few days field SER
vice will measure up with the best
regular troops, Much depends on
efficient officers and what is known
as the esprit de corps" but since
General Charles King took the Wis
consin Guard under his wing, twenty
odd years ago, it has ranked with
the first in the country in these par
ticulars.
A letter by Secretary Lansing to
foreign Governments repeats the
purpose of this Government to avoid
intervention, if possible to do so,
ard states we only desire to protect
American citizens and property.
Criticisms of mistakes in dealing
with Mexico have been frequent and
bitter but at this juncture the gen
eral disposition is to withhold criti-
cism and in any event to uphold the
hands of the Administration.
Measures have been introduced
looking to granting government aid
to dependent families of national