The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-04-23

that the retreat which followed on the
recent attack on the canal is without
precedent in the history of all former
wars for the mastery OF the eastern
gates OF Egypt AS regards the prob.
lem of transport, we have an object
lesson in Napoleon's Syrian expedition
of 1893. He concentrated about $4,000
picked men-13,O0O infantry and 1000
cavalry-he Injured his troops to the
hardships they were about to undergo,
and he formed a special camel corps
for scouting. He did not even attempt
to move his artillery by land, but es'
sayed to send it by sea. His plan foI
the transport Of this comparatively
small force entailed the services OF
1000 camels to carry water for the
three days journey between Katieh
and El Arish, where the supply was TO
be replenished. Another 1000 eamels
bore provisions for the $4,000 men and
5000 horses for Is days. Besides this,
1000 mules were set apart solely for
the conveyance Of baggage. This was
no light undertaking, even for such a
genius as Napoleon, and, as we know,
II ended in a retreat which may be
considered the turning point of his
career.
Consider for a moment what an
army of animals must be necessary
for the transport of the 65,OO0 OF more
men who are said to be concentrated
on the confines of Palestine. Camels
will doubtless be employed in enor-
nous numbers, both on account Of
their adaptability to foodless and wa
terless countries, and also because
there is an unlimited supply on the
eastern borderIands of Syria and Pat
estine. They are invaluable for patrol
work, and unequaled as beasts Of bur
den. But they need careful attention
and are by no means as hardy as ond
might suppose. SO long as they ara
in condition, well watered and suffl
ciently fed, they will undergo consid.
cradle strain, but If asked TO do too
much they literally go to pieces The
great herds of camels that have, nc
doubt, been driven in from the Ara
bian borderlands will never have been
ridden or even saddIed. Thirteen thou
sand camel saddles cannot be pro
duced in a. hurry, and this is about the
number that will be required, estimat
ed by Napoleon's allowance per man.
Camels will carry heavy loads on even
IN food
pared with horses, or even mules and
they do not need water every day. But
it must be mentioned that when they
do drink they are in the habit Of put
ing away a phenomenal amount OF
water 1t is the maximum amount Of
water required that is the point in this
case. and is likely to prove unprocur
lbIe. The bountiful wells of El Arish,
or instance, have been estimated to
1e capable of supplying the needs Of
Is, 900 to 10000 men. | do not know
he comparative drinking capacity OF |
nan and CAMEL, but out Of 10000 cam
lis. not to mention horses, mules and !
nen, there would be many to go |
hirsty. A still more significant point |
n the commissariat arrangements Is
he fact that the desert will very soon
,e bereft of even its poor camel scrub.
Cor a region which will easily support
passing caravans fails under the tax
" continuous grazing by innumerable
lerds
Looking at the problem of campaign.
ng in the wilderness, it seems that
he peculiar physical features Of the
heater of action-the poverty of the
and-are playing an even bigger part
n this venture Of the twentieth cen
ury than ever they did in days gone
". DOUGLAS CARRUTHERS.