The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-11-20
BLEpHANrs IN THE ARMY.
Some Points as to Their Employment by
the British In India.
Ero,a Is Phiiad,Jnlia Time,

CALCUTTA. Oct. 15.-0ne OF the most inter-
esting features of the English army life pre-
scented to the layman In India is furnished by
the remarkable efficiency of the elephant bril-
Rade. most highly developed through the skill
of .the Burmese in handling the giant ami
mais. Their usefulness In India can scarcely
be imagined by one not familiar with the
amount and variety Of work which they ac-
complish. but 1t would be a serious mistake to
imagine that this degree Of usefulness is at
tanned through any ATTITUDE 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 animals
and overcoming their natural inclinations
This cannot be too highly praised. Neither
must 1t be imagined that the use OF elephants
In army life Is not attended By, great disad-
Guilty with which they are TRANSPORTED.
Naturally the elephant Is not an Intelligent
animal He can be taught remarkable thIngs,
important part. He can never. however, per-
form these feats. without continual attendance
Is uaa,Pprsciaibie; w6Sn affected BY sttilftu1l
hands, however; y Is rsmarkable,
vidod for the sole use Of the elephant are quite
as remarkable. witnessed recently the
loading and 4etraininE % a lot of elephants on
processes. In loading a rope is fastened to his
fore leg and 2 lot q natives haul and pull at 1t
10 lnuuco inc animal 10 lake the nrSC steps
into the car. This Is only accomplished. how
ever. by admonishing him In the haunc by
means Of u tusk. The frst step taken Is rap
idly followed by the others until he stands
This portion OF the task Ia accomplished com
With the next. Al irst he is timid and slightly
frightened, but when the car starts his fear is
wonderful to behold. Though he may ride a
hundred times. he never overcomes. this fear.
though It IL u,nch more pronounced when he
takes his initial ride after, say. two months,
acquaintance with civilization. He rends tho
air with wild trumpetings. endeavors fruitless-
y TO escape. and only ceases his Efforts when
the car has again o m to o standstin.
OF course, wonderfully strong cars are nee
essary to hold him. They are made complete
lyof Iron. with huge Iron bars rising to a 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
wharf 70 tho ship, struggling to escape and
ship they are easily managed. the motion not
affecting them. because they DO not see the
moving panorama before them. Unloading
them is easy. They are lowered to a raft be-
side the ship and allowed to swim ashore.
They take to the water easily and are excel
lent swimmers. being able TO swim eight or
ten miles at q stretch without firing.
The size Of the Indian elephant Is usually
about eight feet In height and ten feet In
length. The male 10 a little larger. perhaps
eleven feet. and weighing about 5000 pounds.