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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

War fever raged in Spokane and across the nation – but it had nothing to do with World War I, which would break out later in the year.

This crisis was centered on Mexico. Relations between the U.S. and the Mexican government had reached the breaking point. In the latest incident, a party of U.S. Marines landed at Veracruz to prevent a German steamer from unloading ammunition bound for Mexico City.

There were widespread calls for the U.S. to “avenge the insults” recently committed by Mexico against the American flag and American honor. U.S. political leaders said there had been a “long series of outrages against Americans in Mexico.”

In Spokane, the National Guard troops at the Armory were ready to deploy with less than 24 hours’ notice. The 14th Infantry at Fort George Wright was also readying itself for war.

A group of former soldiers called the United Spanish War Veterans of Spokane said they were ready to once again volunteer and “answer the call to arms.”

“The boys are not as young as they were 16 years ago,” the group’s commander said. “Most of them have families to consider now. But if the necessity should arise, every one of them would deliver the goods.”

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1989: The baseball fantasy “Field of Dreams,” starring Kevin Costner, was released by Universal Pictures.