Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-08-08
sI.5o A YEAR, CASH.
Animals in War.

ployment of animals, which will play
quite as important a part in the cam
paigns in their way as the generals
and soldiers. Ever since the earliest
days of war-from the very beginning
of things, that is-horses have, of
course, been military aids of the great
est value. Now it is planned--indeed,
several Of the European powers are
actively making experiments-to draft
other animals into the service, with
the expectation that they will be of
great help.
France. during the times of the
Franco. German conflict, brought the
science of carrier pigeons up to a high
standard of efficiency. Then it was
thought that no superior to this 1.-the
little bird could be found as a carrier
of dispatches. But the French mill
tarv authorities are beginning to think
differently now. Experiments have
been made with the swallow, and he
has proved to be swifter, surer and al
together more satisfactory. There is
the greatest probability, therefore,
that swallows will be part Of the army
equipment for the next campaign.
A new idea has sprung up IN French
military circles, nevertheless, that after
all it is rather imprudent for great
army to intrust Its messages, frequent
" of great moment, TO such small
birds, so subject to attacks from the
great birds of prey that are contlnu-
ally on the outlook for such as they.
1t has been proposed that storks be
trained for dispatch service, the theory
being that the nest instinct in these
birds, their swift, certain flight, their
tremendous wing and leg power and
their strength to meet any attack
whatsoever in the air would render
them ideal messengers Of war.
The stork certainly could combat
successfully with any hawk and al
most any eagle. Beside his splendid
strength would make it possible for
great bundle of dispatches, of q weight
and size that dozen carrier pigeons
or swallows would be unable to convey,
TO be sent at once under one cover.
In Russia theory good deal like
this has already been put into prac-
tice, and number of falcons have,
this past year, been pat into training
for the Russian army dispatch service
and have proved eminently satlsiac-
tory. The falcon himself is a most
warllke bird, and ardently reslsts
every attack made upon him. War
saw and Brest. Litewski, on the west
ern frontier, have been the seats OF
these experiments.
As to animals pure and simple, the
elephant cannon.drawers in use IN the
British Army in India are very iamil-
lar, and, from the days Of the earliest
British osse-sion there, have done
magnificent service. In fact, they
were indispensable in the Sspoy cam
paigns. The camels Of the East are
also valuable adjuncts in tie battles
and forced marches around desert
regions, because Of their tremendous
powers Of endurance.
But it has been reserved for Ger
many to bring forward dogs az war
animals. An exhibition Of war dogs
has recently been held in Dresden,
and some splendid specimens Of canine
warriors shown. As an attacking
column these dogs will show formid-
able front against the soldiery Of any
other nation, and as discourageIs Of
hesitancy during the retreat Of an en-
emy they will prove invaluable 10 the
regiment possessing them. Bngades
Of dragons and hussas will doubtless
be superseded by dog platoons. The
only difficulty that the German officers
foresee is teaching the dogs to keep
ranks until the order Charge is
given. Internal dissensions over bones
and rations are also TO be feared. Yet,
at all events, there will be no difficulty
in getting the new-fangled warriors TO
advance upon the enemy in spite Of
shot and shell.
Even that additionally stupid ami
NAL, the goose, stupid in spite Of the
fact that she is reported to have saved
Rome at one time-has possibility Of
military glory under the new ideas.
There IL an authentic incident Of a
Bavarian regiment of light hussars,
stationed at Ingolstadt, Germany, who
adopted young goose during their
stay there and made it, through kind
ness, become 80 tame that it was quite
the pet of the regiment. 1t showed
It's gratitude by assuming the respon-
sibility Of sentry duty ard remaining
faithfully in the vicinity Of the sentry
box each day from sunrise to sunset.
There was no need whatever for the
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