The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-29
Usefulness DUE TO TRAINING.
Burmese Wonderfully Successful in
Hunting Elephants.


One of the most interesting features of
English army life that are presented to the
layman in India is furnished by the Ie-
markable efficiency of the elephant brig
AIDE, most highly developed through the
skill of the Burmese in handling the giant
animals, Their usefulness in India can he
scarcely imagined by one not familiar with
the amount and variety Of work which
they accomplish but it would be a Sc
rious mistake to imagine that this degree
of usefulness is attained through any APP
titude Of the unweldly animals or natural
tendency toward it. II is due solely and
entirely to The wonderful ability of the
natives in training the huge animals and
overcoming their natural inclinations.
This cannot be too highly praised. Meth
er must it be imagined that the use Of
elephants in army life is not attended by
great disadvantages, not the least of which
is the difficulty with which they are
transported
Naturally the elephant is not an intelii-
gent animal. He can be taught remark
able things, in which his strength and
endurance play an important pant. He can
out continual attendance and direction.
Abstracuy, his power of work is unap-
preciable; when directed by intelligent
hands, however, it is remarkable.
The transportation facilities which are
provided for the sole use of the elephant
are quite as remarkable. / witnessed re-
Gently the loading and detraining of a lot
of elephants on the Madras railway. Both
were remarkable processes. In loading, a
Sc 10 md n
of natives haul and pull at it to induce
the animal to take the first steps into the
car This is only accomplished, however
by admonishing him in the haunch by
means of a tusk. The first step taken Is
rapidly followed by the others until he
stands safely on the car.
This portion of the task is accomplished
comparatively easily, however, when COM
pared with the next. At first he is timid
and slightly frightened, but when the car
starts his fear is wonderful to behold.
Though he may ride hundred times, he
never overcomes this fear, though it Is
much more pronounced when ne takes his
initial ride otter. say, two months ac-
uuaintance with civilization. He Tends the
air with wild trumpelinss endeavOrs fruit
lessly to escape, and only ceases his efforts
when the car has again come 10 stand
stilT.
necessary to hold him. They are made
completely of iron, with huge iron bars
rising to a hight of ten or twelve feet above
The platform. Often these cars are rem
dered 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 canvas sling from
the wharf TO the ship struggling TO es-
cape and rending the air with their cries.
Once aboard ship they are easily managed,
the motion not affecting them. because
they do not see the moving panorama be-
fore them. Unloading them is easy. They
are lowered 10 a raft beside the ship and
allowed TO swim ashore. They take to the
water easily and are excellent swimmers,
being able 10 swim eight or ten miles at a
stretch without firing.
The size of the Indian elephant is usually
about feet in hight and 10 feet in length
The male is a little larger, perhaps II feet,
and Weighing about 5000 pounds.