Washington State Guardsmen Mobilize for the Mexican Border
Following a national order from President Wilson, local militia forces prepare to deploy amidst rising tensions with Mexico.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Upon receipt of notice from Secretary of War Baker, the Washington national guard forces, consisting of one regiment of infantry, one troop of cavalry, and one company of signal corps, were directed to mobilize at American Lake at once. President Wilson ordered the entire mobile strength of the national guard of all states and the District of Columbia into federal service. About 100,000 men are expected to respond to the call for border service. Secretary Baker noted that state forces would be used only to guard the border, though the tension between American troops and General Carranza’s forces in Mexico has reached a boiling point.
“Secretary Baker said the state forces would be employed only to guard the border, and that no additional troop movements into Mexico were contemplated except in pursuit of raiders.”
This mobilization occurred during the Punitive Expedition, a precursor to WWI-era military shifts that changed Washington’s strategic role. Today, American Lake is the site of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, highlighting the enduring nature of regional military hubs.
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