Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-05-22
LIEUT.. QlEKEMEYER, WELL KNOWN
HERE, WRITES OF HORSES Sin war

The following article, entitled The
Horse in the Present War;" is re-
printed from the Army and Navy Jour
nal. II is of more than ordinary in
terest to Honolulans, containing as 1t
does, some splendid ideas for the bet
ter treatment Of horses In action,
emanating from Lieut.. ]. G. Quekem-
eyer, formerly stationed here with the
9th Cavalry, and well known on the
local polo fields:
The excessive demand for re1nounts
in this war, due to the breaking down
Of cavalry horses, many OF which are
said TO have lasted only few days,
has caused much speculation among
American cavalrymen as to the cause.
The Cavalry Journal believes a rea.
son may be found In the fact that in
the early part of the war cavalry was
used as follows: With view to turn
ing the flank Of the enemy, brigades
OF cavalry, accompanied by machine
guns, horse artillery and infantry
mounted in automobiles made great de-
tours and raids striking the enemy un.
expectedly at long distances in ad-
vance OF the main army. The cavalry
In such expeditions escorting automo-
biles was obliged to move at fast
gaits which we're q large contributing
factor In the breakdown of the horses
The German minister OF war is credited
with the statement in an official docu-
ment that foreign cavalry horses are
pampered and are not accustomed 70
bivouac and will not touch any but the
best forage. This opinion Is not sur.
prising in view Of the treatise on con,
tact squadrons by Biensan some years
ago In which II was argued that when
in the field horses should never biv
ouac. They should always, if practi
cable. be put under shelter; that one
nights bivouac was harder on them
than a whole week OF hard marching
The desperate efforts made by both
lsides in the western field Of opera,
itlors 10 outfiank each other before the
campaigning settled down to contset
OF intrenchments resulted in the cav
airy being called upon for the mos,
strenuous service. which was reflected
in the great loss of animals
The tribute Of Gen. Sir John French
he the prowess OF the British cavalry
In which he says that the enemy are
able 10 make no kind OF stand against
them at all unless they outnumber
them by at least three to one, would
indicate that the British cavalry Is
living up to its past reputation. The
polo pony has justified the claims
made by his admirers that he is an
excellent animal for military purposes
Though too small for artillery or ord
mary cavalry, the pony makes an ex
ceIlent mount for territorials. mount
ed orderlies. senior officers of infan
try regiments, etc. He is handy. fast
easily accustomed to military service
and can stand any amount of fatigue
The. military authorities were partlcu
Iarly DESTROYS Of procuring polo ponies
when mobilization began in Britain
and several prominent polo, players
beaded by tho Prince of Wales, hand
ed over their entire studs for army
purposes. In the Iiot OF killed and
wounded among British cavalry Off
sers have appeared the names OF
Nhany who had been polo players.
1.-THE horse will have to thank this
1Aar anyway for having given him the
first official recognition by warning
nations OF his right 10 organized re
lief. LIST Lieut. j. G. Quekemeyer, 18th
u. S. Cav. explains In the April Cav
airy Journal with illustrations and re
prints the appeals in the countries al
war for aid for horses in service. New
er before has such voluntary helT
been given to the beasts as has been
extended in this conflict. The Blue
Cross Society is branch organization
of Our Dumb Friends League of Lon
don. The support of the British gov
eminent was sought, but as yet the
war office has given only such sane
ton as enables the society to furnish
hospital requisites for sick and wound.
cd horses In France the society was