South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-09-28
Both Army and Macy
are Prepared forAny
Trouble zUith Mexico
BY LOUIS LUDLOW.

vASHINGTON d. G. Sept. IL
That both the army and the navy
arc prepared for any eventuality
that may result I'm the relations be
tween this government and Mexico
IS fact well known I'm official and
military circles I'm Washington
The armed forces OF this country
are fully prepared and are waiting
for the command. An adequate sup
ply OF war materials. including
tanks. has been concentrated at con
ve1ient places near the border.
The opinion IS rapidly becoming
general among administration Off
cials in Washington that II order Is
10 be restored in the southern re-
public armed intervention viii he
inevitable. Many congressional and
executive officials here hold the
view that If there is not great
change IN Mexican conditions with
in the next month the point will be
reached where patience on the part
OF the United States will no longer
be regarded as a virtue and this gov
eminent will have 10 clean up af-
fairs in Mexico just as IL was neces-
sary 20 intervene in Cuba.
Close Analogy
II is pointed out by administra-
tion officials that there has been
close analogy between the Cuban
and the Mexican situations The
conditions in Mexico today have
created a pesthole OF trouble at the
doorstep OF the United States. just
as Cuba did about a score OF years
ago. American Intervention in Cuba
resulted in creating a totally differ
ent situation in the Pearl OF the An
titles and the contrast I'm Cuban con-
ditions as they existed in the regime
Of Weyler and as they exist now is
held as evidence OF the occasional
necessity Of the use Of armed force
on the part OF powerful nation like
the United States in its dealings
with small neighboring nations that
are IN turmoil
The control OF the Carranza gov
eminent has been growing notice
ably weaker from day 10 day and
the situation has reached the point
where the murder or capture for
purposes Of ransom OF American and
other foreigners Is a matter Of
weekly occurrence. There are to-
day about 10000 soldiers OF all army
branches stationed along the Mex
lean border The frontier has been
divided into districts and troops
cross the border on hot trails when
e. -cr il IS considered necessary, re-
rardless OF the protests OF the Car
rama regime. The army Is we'll
equipped for dealing with these
sporadic outbreaks affecting Amer
lean lives in northern Mexico and
there is no doubt that 1t is just as
we'll prepared TO go into Mexico on
CAMPAIGN OF Intervention whenever
me president and congress say the
word
Two Fleets.
Tn addition to having the Allan
tic fleet ready on the Gulf coast, the
new Pacific fleet. commanded by
Admiral Hugh Rodman. now pro-
ides a well-equipped naval force
for use against the Pacific coast Of
Mexico II would be possible TO
flash a radio message from Wash
ington that would send two great
fleets southwark for a blockade of
both Mexican coasts and il is be
Ueved here that such would be the
first action taken IN the event that
this government should decide 10
take a hand in the southern repub-
I-. II is also thought probable that
the oil fields would be taken over
for protection as part OF a joint plan
OF the army and navy for pacifica-
ton and the restoration OF law and
order.
II the United States decides upon
armed intervention in Mexico. IL is
probable that both army and navy
airplanes would be extensively used
and that the army would call prin-
Cipally upon its cavalry and tank
corps Military officers here are Of
the opinion that tanks would be
very effective IN any movement
across the border and II has been
disclosed that the tank service Is be-
ing strongly developed. II has been
testified recently before a congress
sional committee that there are now
100 new and fully equipped tanks
With the American forces on the
border. and that the total tank pro-
gram. which Is almost completed.
calls for 1850 tanks. including so
wireless tanks and 100 heavy tanks.
It also is reported that the air
service along the border Is being
considerably strengthened and dew
eIoped, the plans in this connection
calling for eight completely equipp-
cd aero squadrons. II the plans OF
emergency officers in the army In the
emergency officers nthe army in the
Iast OF this month had been allowed
n stand the air service on the Dor
der would have been badly crippled
But congress has enacted new leg
fslation permitting the army TO re-
tain about $500 emergency officers.
and this will save the situation for
both the air service and the motor
transport corps along the border. as
u will provide a sufficient number
OF emergency officers for the eight
complete aero squadrons that ar
20 Re stationed just north OF the Rio
Grande.
Because or the fact that there
has been no actual declaration by
the white house regarding its future
policy toward Mexico. the military