Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1895 — ANIMALS IN WAR. [ARTICLE]

ANIMALS IN WAR.

BRUTES AND BIRDS TO BECOME MAN’S AID IN BATTLE. New Uses for Swallows, Storks, Faloons and Dogs by Ingenious European Military Experts. When the next European war comes it is more than probable that it will have a novel and picturesque point of military interest about it in tbe employment of animals, which will play quite as important a part ini the campaigns in their way as the Generals and soldiers. Ever since the earliest days of war—from the very beginning of things, that is—horses have, of course, been military aids of the greatest value. Now it is planned—indeed, several of the European powers are actively making experiments—to draft other animals into the service, with the expectation that they will be of great help. France, during the times of the Franco-German conflict, brought the science of carrier pigeons up to a high standard of efficiency. Then it was thought that no superior to this lithe little bird could be found as a carrier of dispatches. But the French military authorities are beginning to think differently now. Experiments have been made with the swallow, and he has proved to be swifter, surer and altogether more satisfactory. There is the greatest probability, therefore, that swallows will be part of the army equipment for the next campaign. A new idea has sprung up in French military circles, nevertheless, that after all it Is rather imprudent for a great army to intrust its messages, frequently of great moment, to such small birds, so subject to attacks from the great birds of prey that are continually on the outlook for such as they. It has been proposed that storks be trained for dispatch service, the theory being that the "nest instinct" in these birds, their swift, certain flight, their tremendous wing and leg power and thoir strength to meet any attack whatsoever in the air would render them ideal messengers of war. The stork certainly could combat successfully any liuwk and almost any eagle. Beside his splendid strength would make it possible for a groat bundle of dispatches, of a weight and Bize that a dozen carrier pigeons or swallows would be unable to convoy, to be sent at once under one cover.

In Russia a theory a good deal like this has already been put into practice, und a number of falcons have, this past year, been put into training for the Russian army dispatch service and have proved ernlnontly satisfactory. The falcon himself is a most warlike bird, and ardently resists every attaok made upon him. Warsaw and Brest-Lltewski, on the western frontier, have been the seats of these experiments. As to animals pure and simple, the elephant cannon-drawers in use in the British Army in India are very familiar, and, from the days of the earliest British possession there, have done magnittcont service. In fact, they were indispensable in the Sepoy campaigns. The camels of the East aro also valuable adjuncts In the battles and forced marches around desert regions, because of their tremendous powers of enduraqcea JJ But It has been reserved for Germany to bring forward dogs as war animals. An exhibition of "war dogs” has recently been held in Dresden, and some splendid spoolmens of canine warriors shown. As ifi attacking column those dogs will show a formidable front against the soldiery of any other nation, and as discouragers of hesitancy during the retreat of an enemy they will prove invaluable to tho regiment possessing them. Brigades of dragoons and hussars will doubtless be superseded by dog platoons. The only difficulty that the German officers foresee is toaching tho dogs to keep ranks until the order “Charge!” is given. Internal dissensions over bones and rations are also to be feared. Yet, at all events, there will be no difficulty in getting the new-fangled warriors to advance upon the enemy in spite of shot and shell. Even that traditionally stupid animal, the goose, stupid In spite of the fact that she is reported to have saved Rome at one time—has a possibility of military glory under the new ideas. There is an authentic incident of a Bavarian regiment of light hussars, stationed at Ingolstadt, Germany, who adopted a young goose during their stay there and made it, through kindness, become so tanqe that it was quite the pH of tlie regiment. It showed its gratitude by assuming the responsibility of sentry duty and remaining faithfully in the vicinity of the sentry-box each day from sunrise to sunset. There was no need whatever for tho sentry to keep careful guard, or even to walk up and down, for the goose (this is a historic incident) kept her eye open, and when any one approached would set up a tremendous squawking. The sentry could go to sleep if he pleased (and indeed, many of them did). Yet, strange to say, no sentry during the goose’s sojourn in the camp was ever caught napping or found wanting. In fact, the soldiors used to say that the goose did the best duty in the regiment. Such are animal possibilities of the near future at military outposts.