Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 54, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 March 1917 — AMERICAN MOLE A WAR TRIUMPH [ARTICLE]

AMERICAN MOLE A WAR TRIUMPH

Is Now the Pride of the FireSwept Fields of France and Flanders. . - •/ 7- - I DUE EQUAL TO SIX HORSES Product of Stock Farms of Southern United States Is “Magnificent Creature," Says British Brigadier— Sleep Beside Roaring Guns. With the British Armies in France. —Two years-and a half of the grimmest war in history have wrought the triumph of at least one American institution—the army mute. He has been weighed anew in the scales of battle, proved on the fire-swept fields of France and Flanders, and not found wanting. In warm-winter coat and with long, inquisitive ears flopping back and forth in the breeze, he marches up among the roaring guns with a steady nonchalance that lends confidence and faith to the fighting men who depend so much upon him. From Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas and other stock farms In the Bouth he has journeyed to the war and come into his own. The much maligned, supposedly stubborn, balky and generally pestiferous mule has won a -place in the heart of the British army from which he can never be dislodged. He was quite au asset in the South African campaign, but now is a real aristocrat of the transport service. ——~

“A most magnificent creature," replied a British brigadier when asked for an opinion of the lowly American mule. “And he has a much better character than generally Is given to him. He is something of a camel in that respect. Most people cry down and berate the poor old camel, but once you get to know him he is much to be admired. It is just the same with the mule. He has some ways with him which the British Tommy didn’t quite appreciate at first, but now that they are better acquainted and have Termed a sort of entente cordlale the two! have utmost respect for eaeh other and 'carry on’ at the front with complete understanding and effectiveness.” One Mule Equals Six Horses. The mule had his supreme test on this front in the battles of the Somme. There were days and nights of unceasing labor, short rations and little or no attention. The strain was constant and terrific. In exact ratio to the number employed, six horses succumbed where a single mule gave way. The horse, of course, is an animal of finer fiber and is far more sensitive. If he stumbles into a shell hole filled with water, he wdll strive and struggle to get out until he actually dies of a broken heart. Not so the mule. He has no Imagination and nqtjpuch of an outlook on life. He calmly and philosophically lies in the shell hole until someone comes along and digs him out. The mule, some suppositions to the contrary notwithstanding, is vulnerable at times to shot and shell. Jinny

of them have been killed In action along with horses, and others have died of wounds. But modern veterinary skill is working wonders for the animals of war and one must be badly hurt indeed to be abandoned. The thick skin of the mule saves him from many of the troubles that beset the horse. It wards off mud blisters and the affections that come from the wet and damp and long exposure. They're Generally Civil, Too. VSTBng a veterinary hospital where there were hundreds of horses under medical repair. It was striking to no■ttce tJTrr a sotttirry -nrnie-among them. Someone suggested this was strange, because the army had found the mule such a fine animal he had been Imported by the tens of thousands. “That’s precisely it,” said the doctor In charge; “it’s because he Is such a fine animal that you see so little of him here.” Because he is generally civil and sometimes goes to sleep Just abaft a howling nine-inch gun it must not be supposed the American mule has lost all his old craft and mulish cunning. At one of the hospitals there is a sulphur “dip.” or bath, like the cattle dips on western ranches. Most of the horses will plunge in over their heads and swim through, getting the full benefit of the disinfection. But Mr. Mule is rather too suspicious to take such chances. He is drawn in with great reluctance and holds his head high above the yellow liquid. One old fellow went through six times one day, but not once did he get his head wet until the sponges were resorted to.