New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-06
TO KEEP MONGOOSE OUT.
One of the Animals on Forbidden
List.


Washington. Sept CspeciaD.-Slnce the annexa-
ton of Hawaii. Porto Rico and the Philippines TO
the United States customs officials in every port OF
entry in this country have received repeated and
urgent orders 10 maintain a vigflant lookout for
several varieties Of undesired birds and quadrupeds
The alien of the animal kingdom against which
the most rigid exclusion is enforced Is the mon
goose Upon no consideration Is this creature al
lowed to land from foreign ports even to be
shipped from part OF American territory TO an
other.
To carry this prescription into effect two Cabinet
officers are invoking the far reaching power OF their
departments Secretary Wilson has convinced
Secretary Shaw that the coming OF the mOngOOSe
would be great a menace to American prosperity
would be the unrestricted advent Of anarchists
paupers The Secretary of the Treasury. there
fore. working in cooperation with the Secretary OF
Agriculture has issued the strictest orders to see
that no mOngOose is put down alive on American
soil
The sweeping character OF the order and the evil
dent determination the part OF Secretary Wilson
and Secretary Shaw to exact its enforcement have
created the part of minor officials an eager de-
sire for information concerning the animal in Ques
ton A number OK inquiries have come from Gus
toms officials asking what sort OF a bird the
mongoose is that they might be able instantly
arrest attempt TO smusgie it into this country
Instructions now have gone forth that officials
who thought that the mOngoOse was some sort OF
predatory bird shall be able to identify the quad
ruped and understand why the government
CURED that it should be killed instantly upon
rival
Should the mongooss get foothold In the
United States" said Dr. T. A Palmer. OF the hos
pital survey, 1T would work greatest possible
calamity to the farming industry OF the country.
The mongoose is a native OF India The ichneumon
OF Egypt. which commends itself to the inhabitants
along the Nile because OF its appetite for crocodile
eggs. Is member OF the same family. In India the
mongoose is held in high esteem. for it is unequalied
as a devourer Of rats. and TO accomplish this pur
pose domesticated IN thousands Of Hindoo homes
Moreover. though 1t is a small animal. II does
hesitate to attack large and reptiles IN
variabIy causing their death. 1t Is popularity be-
leved in India that the mongoose while fighting
snakes chews the root Of the Ophiorhiza mungos
regarded antidote for snake bites). and that
it is thus rendered immune Scientists. however.
say that its IN contests with snakes is due
to 1t agility.
A few years ago the mongoose was imported into
the island OF Jamaica to what the animal would
do toward the determination OF sugar rats
Before long the island numbered thousands Of
them and rats practically ex+erminsted. but,
nevertheless. crops were found TO be ravaged Like
conditions obtained in Porto Rico and the Hawaiian
Islands. where the mOngoose had been tried as an
experiment. Not long ago the United States Gov
sent scientists to investigate. 1t has been
found that the mongoOse includes in its work Of
determination the birds that live crop destroying
insects
The result Is" said DR.. Palmer that the dew
astation OF the crops caused BY the insect pests IN
some parts OF these islands where birds survive
has been almost complete"
The mongoose lives In holes In the ground. and Is
nocturnal in its ways Being quick and cautious II
is extremely difficult to shoot trap H. Recently
DIR. Flexner. the toxicolOgst Of the University Of
PENNSYLVANIA. imported two mongooses for the pur-
pose OF experimenting upon them with poisonous
snakes. He confronted by the governments
order. but the scientists Of the Department Of
Agriculture wished II possible have the expert
ments conducted II agreed that the profess
sors laboratory should be guarded by federal
keeper. To convey them safely from the steamer he
chloroformed tnem. and when he arrived at his
laboratory found them dead
In Jamaica. Porto Rico and Hawaii. however. the
mongoose has sturdily and craftily resisted all
efforts made by scientists and hunters to conquer
IL. The animal Is exceedingly wary. evading the
most cunningly devised traps. The mOngoOse will
frequently kill and devour OF birds In single
night. The Department Of Agriculture has album
dainty demonstrated the benefit conferred upon
husbancry by birds that feed insect pests. and.
therefore. every effort will be maintained 70 keep
out the bird destroying mongoose
Because Of this unqualified embargo placed upon
the animal" said DR.. Palmer. 1.-THE mongoOse Is at
tracing worldwide attention. particularly among
scientists have hitherto known little about IT.
On the continent OF America there only three
or four mongooses. and they are confined In ZOO
logical gardens under the strict espionage OF the
Geological Park in this city. and It's cage has
been erected a placard announcing that further i'm
portation OF the will be serious infractiOn Of
the federal law A number Of scientists have made
Journeys hther for the purpose OF studying
this animal.
The irnportatio into the United States OF the fly
ing fox (PterOpus rubfcolls), the largest mammal
that flies and which is ruthless harvester OF
fruits and vegetables, is also prohibited The nying
fox fruit bat. is native OF the islands OF the
Eastern Archipelago.
The English sparrow continues. Of course. the
blacklist. But the exclusion law In this case "a
rather tardy, for the objectionable bird Is multiply
ing at enormous rate and spreading throughout
the country. The starting. bird allied 70 the crow
family. Is either killed by the customs officials or
returned at the expense OF the owner
Many varieties OF birds and animals are being
discovered IN the Philippines. and upon the recon-
mendaton OF the scientists Of the biological survey
these being held at ports Of entry until Il can
be determined whether their advent would be detrf-
A number OF birds, reptiles and mammals. such as
armadiIlos lions rhinoceroses. panthers. sOths
tapi-s. Ocelots. etc. may be Imported without
permit
TT IS not the desire Of the Treasury Department
the Department OF Agriculture unnecessarily to
restrict importstions Of animals and birds desired
for exhibition In museums" said DR.. Palmer. 'cx
cept regards few varieties which such a
menace that their escape from meuageries zoo /
logical gardens might work inconceivable ruin 10
agrculturs In the therefore OF the mon goose
Starring the cyinI fox and the English 1parroR