Williams news., 1915-05-06

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 1799. He concentrated about 14,000 picked men-13,000 infantry and 1000 cavalry-he inured his troops to the hardships they were about to undergo. and he formed special camel corps for scouting. He did not even attempt to move his artillery by land. but es- saved to send it by sea. His plan for the transport of this comparatively small force entailed the services of 2,000 camels to carry water for the | three days journey between Katieh and Fl Arish, where the supply was to be replenished. Another 1000 camels bore provisions for the 14,0O0 men and 5000 horses for 15 days. Besides this, 5000 mules were set apart solely for the conveyance of baggage. This was no light undertaking, even for such genius as Napoleon, and, as we know, it ended in retreat which may be considered the turning point of his career.
 Consider for moment what an army of animals must be necessary for the transport of the 65,000 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 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 one might suppose. So long as they are in condition, well watered and sufi ciently fed, they will undergo consid erable strain, but if 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 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 ground, they are easy to feed con-
 pared with horses, orj 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 ting away a phenomenal amount of | water. It 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 15,OO0 to 10000 men. I do not know the comparative drinking capacity of
 man and camel, but out of 13.000 cam els, not to mention horses, mules and
 men, there would be many to go | thirsty. A still more significant point | in the commissariat arrangements Is
 the fact that the desert will very soon | be bereft of even it's poor camel scrub.
 For a 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, it 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
 tury than ever they did in days gone | by. DOUGLAS CARRUTHERS.