The National tribune., 1901-05-30

were a great assistance to those troops
whose own transport was limited.
The province of Chilli was rich in
ponies and mules, many of the latter being
splendid animals equal to our own, espec-
tally for packers, as they We're short
coupled with big barrels; in fact ideal
pack-mules,
CAMEL TRANSPORTS.
"Near Pekin was obtained also a large
number of camelS of the twO-humpcd or
Bactrian breed These ungainly brutes
carried 500 pounds apiece and were the
cheapest transport in China. They ate all
kinds of refuse forage that mule would
not touch, and thrived upon it. The sad
die was simplicity itself, consisting of two
narrow wooden bars running at right an
gics to the ribs, and connected by a few
pieces of old rope thrown loosely across
the animals back, these equalZed the
pressure of the load on the ribs. The
cargo waS simply tied together and hung
on each side.
.'One man cared for six animals.
he led the first by long cord
passed through the griStlc of the nose,
the other five Were tied to their lead
crS in the same manner, the cord being
made fast to the saddle. The last camel
carried a bell suspended from his neck
and shaped like a section of stOvepipe. As
long as the bell sounded the camel driver
knew his string was intact without look
ing around. We employed Il number of
these beasts to haul in coal from the
mines to our camp at pekin. They only
made about two and Il half miles an hour,
but as this pace, like that of the British
pack train, was regulated by their coOiie
drivers. who walked. | don't know if it is
natural or not. but think it is. They have
nasty tcmperS and are prone to kick and
lite. many being muZzled. Having tried
thcm / do not think much of them as n
saddle animal, the motion being similar
to that of one of the Philippine coastinc
steamers in Il typhOOn.
Although our wagons did splendid ser
vice and held up well under heavy loads
and over rough roads, we were at times
embarrassed by the fact that spare parts
were not interchangeable on all the
wagons. We had three different kinds of
escort wagons. all differing slightly, and |
think this is Il mistake. These wagons
should he built to standard specifications,
no matter who is the maker: thus all parts
would be interchangeable, prime ncces-
sity in a campaign.
SOME COMPARISONS.
"All the foreigners were very partial to
fair leather equipments, and the British
and Germans kept theirs in beautiful
condition.
The Japs marched with but little
equipment that is the weight was not
great, but they seemed to have all they
wanted The British troops also were
lightly loaded, but both of these nations
had Il coolie for every fighting man, or
about that proportion. The Russians car
ried little. a rough blanket in roll, the
ends of which were tied together and
stuck in their soup cans. y wooden wafer
bottle and Il canvas haversack completed
IL, t,lI
had very heavy packs. The Germans were
heavily loaded. seemed to have Il belt and
a pouch for everything from a pair OF
boots to Il meerschaum pipe. | only saw
them marching on the roads, but feel GER
tain that if they went into action they
would either have to strip and run the
risk of losing their packs or else develop
powers of endurance that men of no other
nation possess.
.'In the matter of dress our men are
very sensibly clothed in comparison with
the others, especially in the matter of foot
and head gear. Our blue flannel shirts
excited admiration.
THE Japs limped in heavy stiff brogans,
which they wore apparently for the same
reason Il plantation negro wears shoes on
Sunday-for show, as they moved around
barefooted or in straw sandals with ease
and comfort Their Summer uniform was
OF coarse, white drill, made very tight
fitting, extremely sO-they seemed ready to
burst at every seam. Their Winter uni
form was of coarse wOOlen cloth varying
in color and trimmings, according to or
ganiZation, and most spectacular in these
combinations. Indeed. all the armies ex-
ccpt American revclcd in color and gold
lace on their Winter uniforms, and, al
though it is striking, its n nuisance, and
requires much labor and care to keep it
presentable. The American force was bet