The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-04
A PIED PIPER IN DEMAND.

Orleans IlmeS-DemOCTat.
A PIED PIPER IN DEMAND.
Belgium Is Invaded by an Army OF
Hnmsters.
(From Chambers' Journal)
Without any declaration OF war, with
no sound of trumpet or beat OF drum,
certain inhabitants of Germany are quiet
ly invading and occupying the country of
Belgium. 1t has long been known that
France has greedy eyes on this rich
little country; but that Germany. which
is usually supposed to covet primarily
Holland. should be silently pouring ner
hordes over her Belgian neighbours 'front.'
Ter is somewhat astonishing. 1t is the
more remarkable, inasmuch as the in
vasion is proceeding almost unnoticed
even by the two countries most concern
ed. and certainly unnoticed by the great
military powers OF Europe.
The integrity of Belgium is. as Is well
known, guaranteed by Great Britain; but
even she will in this case proba oily not
be able to prevent an occupation OF terri
tory as unexpected as undesirable.
Fortunately for the prospects Of Con-
tinentai peace, the invaders, though in
large force, and threatening all the de-
be expected On the arrival Of the enemy
in great numbers, wear no helmet or
plume. carry no cruel rifle or sword, and.
though they be clad in coats of uniform
color, leave no masses of slain behind
them. Still, though they come in peace.
their presence is none the less precursive
of danger to property II not to life; and
a cry OF alarm is beginning to make
itself heard from the prosperous and
highly cultivated districts into which
these unwelcome invaders-marmot rats,
known in Germany as the hamster-are
advancing day by day.
The marmot Is native of Central Eu-
rope, and usually confines it's peregrlna-
lions to the Western boundary. In 1912
similar incursion took place in the
Province of Liege; but the raiders were
successfully routed. and were believed to
have disappeared entirely from Belgium.
Now news has come that the dreaded ro-
dents have lately crossed the Mouse and
appeared in the Province of Namur in
ranks and squadrons.
The hamster is an animal Of the size OF
the large brown Norway rat, and with
similar dental formation. With her
usual thoughtfulness, nature has pro-
vided it with a coat of neutral tint. the
better to escape detection, its fur being
of a greyish brown on the surface. black
underneath. and with white markings
under the threat. 1t is a pretty little
animal, with a short shaggy tail and
white paws. is very quick in its move
ments, and easily tanned in captivity.
What renders it especially remarkable is
the fact that it has cheek pouches. one
on either side. with the openings inside
the mouth. These extraordinary organs.
which the rodent can distend at pleas
ure, are alone. of all the mammals of
Europe. possessed by the hamster.
They serve very useful and economic
purpose. too-the transport to his under
ground lair of the really important guam
tity OF cereals which he contrives to Sc
cure. 1t has been calculated that each ami
NAL can lodge from one to one and a half
ounces in each cheek pouch; it is not.
therefore. surprising that considerably
over geo pounds of food of various kinds
have been found in the run of these crea-
lures. What such wholesale depredations
would amount to in year only an unhap-
py farmer or the Statistical iend" could
tell.
The runs are constructed with consider
able ingenuity. and consist OF number OF
apartments; some being reserved as Sleep
ing quarters. others as warehouses for
provisions. and are approached by differ
ent galleries. It is In the month OF Au-
gust. at harvest time. that he commences.
like the prudent ant of tabled story. to
lay up food for the winter. He then works
hard. filing his cheek pouches to bursting
point. and traverses the fields with the
appearance Of a suffering animal with a
swollen face. He ransacks fields and barns.
and carries off trumphantly all kinds OF
grain. peas, and beans to his burrow, where
he empties his patent travelling bags by
slightly pressing them with his paws; and
he also rasorts to this eXpedient when he
meets an enemy by the way whom cir.
cumstances compel him to fight, promptly
unloading himself Of his cargo, and rush
ing TO the attack with all the ardor of one
whose life is spent In marauding
In his habits. 1t will be seen, the ham, i
ster resembles the mole, for as soon as
the first faint chill Of winter is felt he
retires to his coy nest, and. closing it
alike to friend and foe. proceeds to live
in luxury on the good things with which
he so carefully and thoughtfully provided
himself in summer. When the cold grows
still more intense he curls himself COM
fortably up and sleeps until the spring
appears.
In some parts OF Germany the peasant
protect these animals. Too
poor to be particular. they in turn rob the |
rodent of the store of corn, etc. which he |
has with so much work and intelligence
accumulated for his own use. The female |
hamster has three filters of ten to twelve |
a year. and despite their character for
gentleness, these animals, when famine |
stares them in the face. will eat their
neighbors or their own brothers without |
hesitation and with the strictest impair
TALLY.
visit from self-invited robbers is, !
no doubt. greatly to be deplored; and it |
is to be hoped that. as in 1912. the In
truders will be turned back to their own |
country. England has once more to
thank her geographical position for keep
ing both both human and animal would |
be invaders at bay; and the Channel, |
which was answerable for the failure of |
Napoleon's plans to add England to his |
list of conquered countries, will fortu- |
nately prove an insuperable barrier
should he ever get as far-to the Ger |
many hamster also.