The evening times., 1898-11-24
ELEPHANTS IN TIE ARMY.

One of the most interesting features of
the English army life presented to the
layrnen I'm India Is furnished by the re-
markable efficiency of the elephant brig
ade, most highly developed through the
skill OF the Burmese in handling the si-
ant animals. Their usefulness in India
can scarcely be imagined by one not fa-
miiiar with the amount and variety of
work which they accomplish, but it would
be "A serious mistake TO imagine that this
decree of usefulness is attained through
any aptitude of the unwieldy animals or
natural tendency toward it. 1t is due
solely and entirely to the wonderful abil-
ity of the natives In training the huge an
imals and overcoming their natural incii-
nations. This cannot be too highly
praised. Neither must it be imagined
that the use of elephants in army life IS
not attended by great disadvantages, rot
the least of which is the difficulty with
which they are transported.
Naturally the elephant is not an intelli-
gent animal. He can be taught remarka-
bic things, in which his strength ard en-
durance play an important part. He can
never, however, perform these feats with
out continual attendance ard direction.
Anstractly, his power Of work is unap-
preciable; when directed by skiilful
hands, however. it is remarkable.
The transportation facilities which are
provided for the sole use OF the elephant
are quite as remarkable. | witnessed
Gently the loading and detraiuing Of a lot
of elephants on the Madras Railway. Both
We're remarkable processes.
In loading a rope is fastened TO his fore
leg and a lot of natives haul and pull al
! 1t to induce the animal to take the first
steps into the car. This is only accom-
plished, however, by admonishing HIM in
the haunch by means of tusk. The first
step taken is rapidly followed by the 9TH
ers until he stands safely ON the car
| This portion OF the task il accomplished
! comparatively easily, however, when
! compared with the next. AT first he is
timid and slightly frightened, but when
the car starts his fear is wonderful 10 be-
| hold. Though he may ride a hundred
| times, he never overcomes this fear.
/ though il is much more pronounced when
| ne takes his initial ride after. say, two
| months acquaintance with civilization.
! He rends the air with WILD trumpetings,
| endeavors fruitlessiy to escape. and only
! ceases his efforts when the car has again
I come 10 standstill
t OF course, wonderfully strong cars are
necessary 70 hold him. They are made
| completely Of iron, with huge iron bars
| rising ta height OF ten or twelve feet
| above the platform. Often these cars,
| are rendered useless by the twisting Of
| the bars. due to the application of the
occupants remarkable strength.
! In transporting the elephant by sea the
| difficulties are almost as great They are
| raised by means of d canvas sling from
the wharf to the ship. struggling to es-
/ cape and rendins the air with their cries.
| Once aboard ship they are easily manag-
! ed. the motion not affecting them, be-
| cause they do not see the moving pano-
! rama before them. Unloading them is
easy. They are lowered to a raft beside
the ship and allowed to swim ashore.
| They take to the water easily and are
! excellent swimmers. being able to swim
eight or ten miles at "a stretch without
| firing.
! The size of the Indian elephant is usu-
/ ally about eight feet In height and ten
! feet in length The male is u little larg-
| er. perhaps eleven feet, and weighing
| about 5000 pounds.