Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1924-10-17
LET'S REMEMBER '0s

In connection with the celebration
Of National Defense Day last month.
the Chicago Daily Tribune, THE
Worlds Greatest Newspaper pub
lished an editorial honoring the vet
erans OF the Spanish war. The article
is very interesting and in addition to
pointing out the necessity for pre-
paredness. is decidedly educational
regarding what our American SOL
diers went through from incom-
potency and neglect. facts that are
little known generally. The editorial
is printed herewith:
The twenty-sixth annual encamp-
ment OF the United Spanish War
Veterans opened Monday in Michi
gan City. Ind. A great war requir-
ing a great army came along after
their time. Some OF them were In
that, but as veterans OF the Spanish
war they may feel that the country
is not paying much attention to
them.
III "a
who saw service in Cuba or were in
camps in the United States are alive
today. II Is a wonder any OF them
were alive after three months OF
service. What the United States did
TO them ought to stand as warn
Ing, rebuke. an example and
pledge of contrition and OF never
again.
We think of this as n little war.
II was in the number OF combat
troops engaged. In the scope OF the
operations and fortunately in battle
casualties. That was luck. the
spaniards were incompetent. II was
n big war In results. II gave the
United States responsibility for
waters and lands needed in national
deyelopment. II was preliminary to
the building of the Panama canal
II settled an issue with the spanish
in America which was as old as the
republic. what Jnceson had begun
in Florida reached its conclusion In
Santiago.
We used to say that II made the
United States a world power II GER
tainiy changed some OF our ways OF
thinking. Il established us In the
far east where vie are now. to our
own danger. II led us to believe
that German expansion might make
ms trouble. Dewey talked OF the
war another generation fought.
II wa. n war big In results, war
which had been avoided on other oc-
casions. which probably was newt
able, which certainly was right In
policy and justified by consequences
and which had genuine public sup
mort. Volunteering was cnthus'as-
tic and provided sufficient numbers
", hop. that for any war OF magni-
tudc In the future. II one Is un'
creapabic. tn. volunteer system IL
obsolete. bu, It worked IN '9s where
II would hay. failed IN II.
wha, the United States did "a
thcr. Holdi"fs was 'tiH" anu "
never should be forgotten. Roore-
vel, remarked that II was even cur
ious. This was supposed TO be n
business nation and not u wnrlike
nation. Tho business end Of the war
brok. down completely. The sol
dicriy qualities OF the men were
good enough even when incom.
pctcncc. ignorance and lack OF pre-.
para,ion were d-moraiisinE the
army.
Only the regulars and Wood.
Roosevelt rough riders had krasu
and smokcicss powder. The national
guard and tho other volunteers were
using black powder. Battery posi-.
tions wSrc Indicated by clouds Of
smoke. The men were thrown Into
the tropics In winter underwear. The
transport broke down. They could
get ammunition. but no food. Men
exposed to torrentiai rains subsistrd
on ons or two hsYdtack . day. They
wsrs II iuek u they had . little raw
hacoa With II. Their canned beef.
vAsa hey got II. was nauseatias aa1
Q sauDs Of sbekHsee. Their bsee SEP