The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 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-13,000 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 1t by sea. His plan for
the transport of this comparatively
small force entalled the services OF
1000 camels to carry water for the
three days journey between Katieh
and Ell Arish, where the supply was to
be replenished. Another 1000 camels
bore provisions for the $4,000 men and
5000 horses for Is days. Besides this,
5000 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 $4,000 or 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 borderlands Of Syria and Pal
estlne. 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 one
might suppose. So long as they are
In condition, we'll watered and suffi-
clently fed. they will undergo consid.
cradle strain, but II asked to do too
much they literally go to pieces The
great herds Of camels that have, no
doubt, been driven in from the Ara
bian borderlands will never have been
ridden or even saddled. Thirteen thou
sand camel saddles cannot be pro-
duced in hurry, and this Is about the
number that will be required. estlmat-
ed by Napoleon's allowance per man.
Camels will carry heavy loads on even
ground. they are easy to feed COM
pared with horses. or even mules. and
they do not need water every day. But
1t must be mentioned that when they
do drink they are in the habit Of put
ting 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-
able. The bountiful wells Of Ell Arish.
for instance, have been estimated to
be capable of supplying the needs Of
$4,000 to 10000 men. | do not know
the comparative drinking capacity OF
man and camel, but out Of $4,000 cam
els, not to mention horses, mules and
men, there would be many to 60
thirsty. A still more significant point
in the commissariat arrangements Is
the fact that the desert will very soon
be bereft Of even its poor camel scrub.
For region which will easily support
passing caravans fails under the tax
Of continuous grazing by innumerable
herds.
Looking at the problem Of campaign
ing In the wilderness, 1t seems that
the peculiar physical features of the
theater of action-the poverty Of the
land-are playing an even bigger part
in this venture of the twentieth cen.
fury than ever they did in days gone
by. DOUGLAS CARRUTHERS.