The Washington herald., 1916-05-09
BY T.. b. JOHNS.

That an effective patrol on the Mexi-
can border cannot be maintained without
the use OF automobiles to transport
troops. is the conclusion OF some OF the
members Of the general stan who have
been studying conditions on the border.
Even IL the entire army was mounted
and stationed on the border it could not
cover the boundary from the mouth of
the Rio Grande to Lower California. In
automobiles operating in conjunction
with cavalry. the infantry could be made
FIVE or six times as effective at pres
ent.
All Of the armies in the European war
are now using automobiles in trans
porting troops as well as supplies Even
Russia has recently placed large orders
for automobiles to be used for this pur-
pose. Russia has developed A new type
OF automobile for the transportation OF
troops. 1t has large platform upon
which nifty infantrymen and their full
equipment may be transported. An
American firm only a week ago is said
to have shipped l5O OF this large type
OF troop transporting automobiles.
According to reports from Gen Fun
ston conditions are ideal along most Of
the Mexican border for the use Of auto
mobiles. In the flat sandy country auto
mobiles can make better speed than they
can over some Of the country roads in
Virginia and the timber sections of the
United States. With automobiles re-
endorsements could be rushed 10 the out
posts along the border at the rate Of
thirty or forty miles an hour Such
speed as this would make it possible to
cffectuallv stop the raids along the bor-
der. Cavalry would then be used for
scouting and patrolling, while the infsn-
try could be thrown to any point on the
border to support the small Outposts in
4 few hours
naval reserve force is provided for
by the naval appropriation bill as agreed
TO by the committee on naval affairs
The reserve is divided into three classes
with rate OF pay which il is believed
will give the navy a sufficient force OF
reserves to fill up both the active and
reserve fleets in the event Of war There
Is also a provision for manning suxiu-
aries and requirement by which officers
and men on merchant marine ships will
be enlisted as naval reserves.
What will be known as fleet naval
reserves will consist of honorably dis
charged officers and men of the regular
navy. Enlisted men who have served
less than eight years in the navy will
be entitled to an annual allowance of
$50 while they are in the reserve; those
who have served between eight and
twelve years to $50 a year, and those
who have twelve years service in the
navy to their credit, 800.
What are classified as naval re-
serves" are those between the ages OF
Is and IS years, who are engaged in a
sea-going profession. They are required
to serve three months in the navy after
which the enlisted men upon Passing
into the reserves will receive annually
two months pay of their rating and
grade.
Naval auxiliary reserves are those OF
the sea-going profession. who serve on
vessels listed on as naval auxlliaries and
agree to serve on such vessels in the
event OF war. The crews of merchant
ships will be included in this class. They
draw two months pay in their rate and
grade while they are in the reserve.
Naval coast defense reserve will consist
of the owners and masters of yachts and
motor boats who are listed by the Navy
Department. The owners of such craft
agree to turn their boats over to the
navy in the event of war. at an agreed
price.
Lieut. Col. Edgar Jardin, engineer.
and Lieut.. H. A. Dargue, S. c., reported
at the War Department yesterday.