Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, January 1, 1917, Page 32

FULL ASSOCIATED PRESS DESPATCHES AS MANY VARIETIES OF CAMELS AS OF HORSES Faithful Annimals Though They Get None Too Good Care—Beasts of Burden and War Mounts, (Special to The Bulletin.) ‘Washington, D. C. Dec. 31.—The news that the Eritish forces operating near the Suez have employed camels in some of their charges against Turkish trenches gives special interest to a communication to the National Geographic Society concern- ing these desert beasts of burden and war mounts. A portion of the com- munication is issued as the following bulletin: . There are almost as many varieties of camels as horses. The Arab name for camel is djemel. Those of Tunisia, Tripolitania and _Algeria have one hump and are really dromedaries. Cer- tain breeds of camel can withstand the great heat of the Sahara Desert, and others that of the Zero weather of Tibet and China. The ordinary camels of northern Africa (dromedaries) cost from $30 to $60 apiece and they live on almost anything that they can find to eat by the roadside; hence it costs next to pothing for their native Arab owners to keep them. Should a European own camels and attempt to feed them with hay and grain he would find that they ate a great deal, and that it would cost a dollar a day for each one. “During the Italian war in Tripoli the usual price for hiring a camel and its driver to take food supplies from Ben Garden to the Turkish camp was from 60 to 70 cents a day. It is amazing to see the rapidity with wiich a herd of 500 cameis will cat to the ground a large pasturage of prickly pear from 8 to 10 feet high. ieaves, stems, prickles and all, dis- appear like magic. “In many parts of Africa the natives ‘ keep all their date stones and give them to exhausted camels, weary from their long Sahara march. The camel resists at first, and the date stones, roistened in a little water, are pushed foreibly by the handful, down the cam- el's throat, after it has been made to eel. and then securely fastened. in two or three days the camel learns to eat them of its own accord. The natives say that these date stones makes the hump of the camel strong and_ stif. 4 “The camel in its long march across the Sahara frequently finds very lit- tle to eat and lives on the fat of its own hump. When this continues dur- ing a long time the hump becomes flabby and almost disappears. The African broad-tailed sheeplives in the same way on the fat of its own tail. “The flesh of the camel is eaten by the natives. The greatest delicancy is the hump, which contains a great deal of fat. “The usual weight of the bBurdens carried by a camel varies from 550 to 600 pounds, for journeys from town to town or on the border of the des- ert; going across the desert the bur- den is less When a camel is being laden it keeps up a continual snaling, and should it be overburdened it re fuses to arise. Most camels are vic- ious and their bite is very dangerous. Hardly a week passes at the large hi ital Tunis but some unfortunate driver dies of blood poisoning caused by a camel's bite. The grind- ing motion of a camel’s jaw crushes to pulp whatever it bites; so that the arm or leg has to be amputated, and klood poisoning usually sets in before the patient can reach the hospital. “In the interior of northern Africa 2 superb race of camels known as e mehara (singular, mehari), or rac- ing camels. The mehara owe a great ceal to the care taken in their breed- ing during the past 2,000 years. An- cient writers speak of camels used by the army of Xerxes, more than 2,000 ears ago, that had the speed of the fastest horses; these were doubtless mehara. “When a baby mehari is born it is wathed in bandages to prevent the mach from getting too large and is taken into the family tent, where it is nursed and watched over with care and tenderness. When a year old it is sheared and is known from then on as n bou-keutaa, which means ‘the father of the shearing’. ‘For the first year it is allowed to wander at will and follow its mother. The bou-keut#a is weaned by a poin HE KASER Thies ‘COPEN TWE AN BOo N, S 7 coLum GETS AWAN' Wiy IT. A DIECE hod QFU!)NG n\\E GOP AND THE MCoSE SET TeE™MER. AT HARMON~Y DINNER. N IWICAGO OHN AND \WILLIAM WANE - =2 - XD gL e Aok Llomeus ExeR S| E WWAR. \NTWR THE ALLIES NCLE SAM Goe FETER. MiL\_a Il WANE NON! THEN WISHED THS ON ME[ &3, I DI'NT SEEX \T W S HUGHE: R G- A fowarog P. lfi\)@«\-\ES REC . THE GOP NOMINATION s ED R Turns DOWN THE MOOSE ad LD LABOR BiLL SSED \S P AR, COM - PLIMENTS TO THE FULL ASSOCIATED ‘PRESS DESPATCHES INVESTIGATING COMMERCIAL POSSIBILITIES OF RUSSIA. Americans Streaming From Petrograd With Their Pockets Filled With Contracts. Stockholm, Dec. 31.—More, and more the ‘American business men appear to be ipvestigating commercial possibil- ities ™Mn_Russia. Bvery steamer from America brings steadily increasing numbers of them, and Americans are continually streaming in from Petro- grad and, Moscow with their pockets fiiled With contracts or the,procesds of sales, There is, however, a very consider- able number who either g0 no farther than Stockholm or who reach their walting here. These are thé men who waiting ere. These are the men who neglected before shipping their goods to“inform themselves of.the conditions to be met, of routes, of things essen- tial to the sale and delfvery of goods in Russia. A typical case is that of the repre. sentative of cretain automobile Arms in America, who came to Stockholm with some motor trucks intended for Russia, despite the fact that it is nearly two years since the Swedish parliament ‘énacted’ a law refusing transit to motor vehicles in any and all circumstances. This law, enacted on January 9, 1915, prohibits abso- lutely and unqualifiedly - the transit through Sweden to RMissia of arms or parts thereof, ammunition, war mate- rial not specially mentioned, lead in all forms and motor vehicles of any kind. The shipper of the motor trucks was inclined to reproach the British em- bassy in Washington for having is- sued to him letters of assurance on articles which could not be transited through Sweden. It may be that the men in the department of the embas- sy that issues these letters were mnot familiar with the Swedish law. Quite apart, however, from the question of whether they knew or should have given warning. American shippers should understand that letters of as- surance are in no way a guaranty that the goods covered are wanted by or can enter Russia, or that they can cross Sweden. Russia, in common with all other belligerent countries, has prohibited the importation of certain goods and closely restricted the importation of others. ~Generally speaking, all luxu- ries may not be brousht info the em- pire. The list of things wanted is subject to frequent alteration; conditions out- side Russia may make it impossible at a given moment to send certain arti- cles thitcher. At present, for instance, it appears impossible to get any coffee across Sweden. At least one big ship- ment from an American firm has been held up for months because the Swed- ish government demands, as a condi- tion precedent to permitting it to be taken across the kingdom, that a third of the quantity be sold in Sweden. The British government refuses to consent. Another detail In which American shippers appear often uninformed is the matter of routes, which now, with winter here, becomes important. Ger- man submarines have recently been harrying shipping in the Guif of Both- nia to such an extent that it has been seriously restricted. The result has naturally been the accumulation of goods in Swedish and Finnish ports until next April. Theré will remain then onl the overland ro - paranda and Tornea. This is track toad, both in Sweden Finland, there is plus of locomotives and stock on the Swi route’s transpor general so limited that weeks and even of months ble in the of goods not with great urgency. Archangel is and possi- wanted been of little desiring to avoid route, inas- much as the transportation facilities there have hardly more than sufficed to handle governmen timportations of materials needed for the conduct of the war. It is reported unofficially that the completion of the new rail- way from Mourna to Alexandrovsk may be. expected soon, but too optim- istic hopes must not be based on the report. Alexandrovsk is ice free all winter. American shippers desiring to get goods into Russia¢ between now and THE GREATEST NAVAL FGWT OF WISTORY.OFF JUTLAND, REPUBLicay d stick being run through one nostril left in the wound. When the oung camel tries to suckle its mother the stick pricks her and she kicks the baby camel away. It soon leaves the rother and learns to eat fresh green the reopening of water transportation in the spring should keep themselves informed to the minute as to trans- portation conditions via Haparanda, as to goods desired and which will be ST 0} - /’ & s R hrubs. In the spring it is sheared again and the name of heug replaces that of bou-keutaa. _ “When it is two years old its train- ing begins. A halter is placed around the head and a cord tied to one of the fcre feet. It is kept quiet first by gestures and the voice; later by the voice alone. Then the cord is loos- ened, but should it make a step it is tied again. Finally it understands wkat is required, but the lessons are only, terminated when it will stand in one place without moving for an en- tire day. “To make the camel a fast runner the rider whips it on both flanks with a rhinoceros-hide whip and cries out in Arabic to excite it. A young me- hari is very fond of its own skin, and on being struck starts on a gallop. The whipping keeps up and the camel tries to get away by running faster. The long legs seem like wings and it ies past with the speed of an os- wich. It will stop instantly at a pull on the rein, mo matter what speed it has been making. “When the rider jumps off, or should 1c happen to fall, a well-trained me- hari will stand quite still and wait, while should the master happen to be injured the faithful beast will never leave him. “A mehari is never used as a beast of burden; all it ever carries is a sad- dle (something like a Mexican saddle, made of gazelle-skin, dyed red, with a high pommel and a cross in front), two saddle-bags and a rider. The rider is buckled into the saddle by two belts. His feet are crossed in fromt of the saddle and rest on the neck of the mehari. His slippers are usually slung across the pommel, and the me- bari is guided by the wriggling of the rider’s toes. “An iron ring passes through one nostril of the animal and a rein of camel’s hair is attached. “The mehara are used entirely by the Arabs when on the war-path, or razzia. A mehari on the war-path can save three men. Two ride it and the third takes hold of its tail and is pull- along. The latter changes places with the rider at intervals. When a war- party has lost so many camels that there remains but one camel for every three men, it always retreats. ‘Mehara are usually fawn-colored, with soft intelligent eyes. They have pointed ears like a' gazelle’s. ' Their chests are very well-developed, and they have a small girth, almost like that of a greyvhound. Their slender legs bulge with muscles as as steel. “To run short of water half way across the desert is a very serious pre- position which the naives overcome by killing a djemel or ordinary camel, and drinking its blood after it has cool and the froth at the top, which Arabs clalm is poisono | CONMVEATION w NENTION INCHCAEO W ST LOOIE _ AR MuNTONS } N.Y. RARBOR “Come, Ben,” said Miss Belinda, it's time for us to cover the flowers.’ “Hang it, = Belinda!” replicd brother, “why don’t you let ine fi take your fowers? You certainly can’t expect to save them muca ionger, and this putting of petunias, dragons, stock and all the them to bed every night is_gecinz a trifie fatiguing. I believe I'v. up my after dinner cigar to ten evenings straight.” “What a martyr you are, Ien! laughed Miss Belinda, leading the way to the garden. “I put a Jot o. extra burlaps and old quilts in the saed. “But why are you so bent on saving your flowers this year, Belinda:"” in- quired Ben, meekly following his sis- ter. “Usually at this season we are enjoyed a blessed freedom frow gar- den cares.” “Much you know about it, Ben, Us- ually at this season I'm doing a lot of fall planting, which unfortunately I vail among certain tribes of the Sa- hara. Before starting on a razzia or war-path, old camels of not much val- ue were kept from drinking as long as possible, and just before starting out were allowed to drink their fill; then, according to the Arabs, their tongues were cut or torn out, or else certain tendons and neryes were severed, without the use of which it was im- possible Yor the camels to use the water in their stomachs, but they could live for a long time. ‘When drink and meat were needed, one or two ‘of these camels were killed, the the flesh eaten, and the water and blood drunk- When the camels were kil the “horses are said to have pawed the ground in their eagerness to eat some of the fresh meat. “When can’t get at now, for I can't stir up the garden while' I have to savs the flowers.” “Again, my dear, for the tnird and the last time, why do you nava to save them?” “You know old Mrs. Lewis over in the village? Well, her sister, Mr. Ball, a woman several years her sen- ior has been visiting her and she has been very ill for a week. Mrs. Lewis came over here about a fortnight ago and told me that there was no hope of her sister’s recovery, and she begged me to save all my flowers for the fu- neral. Of course, I couldn’t refuse, could I? “This is a remarkably cheerful busi- ness we are in,” grimaced Ben. “What day is the burying to take place? How much longer are we to continue this gruesome agony?” “How can I tell that? Miss Belinda as she spread a sheet lightly over her tea roses. “I don't think we should joke about it.” “I'*m not joking. I'm serious, Be- linda, dear! Indeed, I can see right now the lovely floral emblem you ll make of these roses, mixed with dah- lias and goldenglow.” “Ben, you’re incorrigible! It's so very clear and still to-night 'm afraid Wwe may have a severe frost. Do you know what I think would be a good plan? I believe we could save the more delicate plants, by burning our little kerosene heaters down here to- night. You know how they burn oil pots in the Florida or: groves. 't you think our little stoves would s the some effect?” “I dare say they would, but I must expostulate that I can’t see that we answerad are called upon to heat all outdoors | that because some of the flowers masor the mey be mean half so much. I feel that it's really touching. The kerosene stoves are in the front attic. They are clean- ed. All we have to do is to fill them and bring them down here. Belinda, > a gwondes.” Miss Belinda did not consider her brother’s tone entirely complimientary, but_she laughed. “Please hurry to the attic, Ben It's 80 much easier to get things r:ady be- fore the dark comes on.” “I can only say that lugging three kerosene heaters into the garden is what I call zero in outdoor spor.” The little stoves had been filiad and carefully located in the garden and Miss Belinda and-her broth:r were resting from their exertions wacn the telephone rang. “It's a long distance for you,” re- marked Ben, and when his sistec re- Jjoined him after a rather long convar- sation she looked a little downzast. “It was my friend Miss Cody, at the settlement. She said there’s to be an autumn festival for the children .to- morrow, -and it had just occurred to her that I would be glad to send' all my late flowers in on the early morn- ing train. Of course I had to teil her they were all promised, that they had been for two. weeks.” “Yes, our friend Mrs. Lewis is so remarkably forehanded,” musel Ben. “Well, it's about time to go down and light up the garden. I hope the county overseer won’t to go by in his machine. He t think fit victims for his favorite institu- tion—the county insane asylum.” Miss Belinda declined to notice thi remark, and Ben said nothing more on the subject of the flowers and kero- sene heaters until the next ev:ining, when he opend the village weekly newspaper which had been Js.ag om the living room table for several days. -;& Belinda, listen to this,” he ““We are glad to chronicle tha fact );r-. Sarah Bncn. ‘who ‘been | low the home : 2 you were sorry she got well” On the contrary, I'm detighted! ow the frost can zo where it listeth and we can go to bed care free. The moral is, read the village papci be- fore it's a week old.” “Yes,” sighed Miss Belinda. She was thinking eadly of all the posies she might have sent to the set.ie.aent children’s- festival.—Chicago New RAILROADS SEEK PAY FOR MAIL TRANSPORTATION Make Claime of Between $27,000,000 and $35,000,000, g 31—On the so- called raflway mail nay divisor cases, the Chicago and Alton and Yazoo and Mississippi Valley railroads ' institut- ed proceedings in the court of claims on which 860 other railroads relied to de- termine claims of between $27,000,970 and $35,000,000 for additional compen- sation for mail transportation between 1907 -and 1911. - The Chicago and Al- ton claimed $115,500 and ‘the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley $26,800. Doth suits . were dismissed by the court of claims.. - . Since the litigation arose, following years of dispute between congress and the post office department with the railroads over the basis of railway mail congress reorganized the sysiem by recently substituting the = car “space” system for the weight compu- tation plan. “The claim for extra mail pay from 1907 to 1911 were based on the ground that the postmaster general exceeded is authority in 1907 in changing the “devisor,” by ich the average dalily weight of ‘was ascer- tained, so as to include Sundays, which previously had been excluded from the computations because little mail was carried on Sundays. When the “six-working-days” devisor 73, mail transporta- st - entirel mails under the new seven-day devisor plan, the government contended that the railroads were not entitled to re- cover additional compensation in the courts. The raiiroads were not then required, as prescribed in compulsory islation last year, to carry mail of- ed by the government. During the four-year_period in question, the gov- ernment contended, the railroads could have refused to transport the mails if disatisfled with the seven-day de- visor computation. Although they might_have so refused, the railroads repied that refusal would have dis- rupted business and social conditions in the country and that the reduction in mail pay resulting from the seven- day devisor was, in effect, forced upon them by the government. The test cases were twice argued be- fore the court, in April, 1915, and again in December, 1916, former Secretary of War Dickinson, who _represented the government in the “Steel Trust" prosecution, being among the. rail- roads’ counsel. of Boulder, ™M District. A region of especial geologic as well as economic interest is that described in Bulletin 265 of the United States Geological Survey, Department of the Interior—Geology of the Boulder Dis- trict, Colo.—copies of which the Geological Survey has on hand for free distribution. The area, shown on the maps accompanying this report is a quadrangle measuring 16 miies from north to south by 3 wiles from east to west, of which the city of Bouider is practically thé center. The discovery of coal, oil, and gas in the region first called attention to it, and was the im- medinte occasion for the survey whil resulted in the publication of this bul- letin. The structural znd other - geo- logic features of the area, including the folds, faults, landslips, and mesas, afford attractive subjects for study and comparison. Geology Colo., g Greece is not 3 t of A A o A8 and hired girl restored. favored in expedition, and as to con- ditions in Sweden regarding transit. A neglect to obtain up-to-date in- formation about any and all of these details may—probably will—mean vexatious delays and loss of profits or even more than profits. The so-called company) Transits ed in Stockholm with the consent of the British government tc Bsupervise transit of goods for Russia, possesses at all times complete information con- cerning all conditions mentioned. This information will be placed at the dis- position of the American consuate- general in Stockholm upon request from him on behalf of an intending shipper. Another available source of information is the state department at ‘Washington. Regarfiitless of the difficulties of get- ting goods into Russia, all American business men returning from that countra yre enthusiastic over the pos- sibilities there. Not only are Ameri- can goods highly regarded, but there is also, according to the testimony of several returned merchants, much dis- satisfaction over many - classes of goods with which the Japanese have been flooding the Russian market. The same man spoke admiringly of the manner in which . English mer- chants are grasping the opportunties offered. “Wherever I went,” he said, “I saw evidence of the excellenéce of English preparation to get and hold the Rus- stan trade after the war. The English tradesman has waked up. The great firms have men on the ground who know the language and the country's customs, and ~fheir organization Is steadily becoming more efficient. “I'find no graft anywhere and paid out no money for bribes. My experi- ence may be unique, but I gained the impression that the man who has honest goods to sell at honest prices can do business without bribery.’ This American was inclined to think that the British government applies a certain pressure in some cases to bring about a preference of British tradesmen over Americans. The Brit- ish authorities here do not belleve that is so. As to goods coming from America for Russia, they deny cate- gorically that any preference is shown. At the British legation the following statement was made to The iated Press correspondent: ‘e deny absolutely that any pref- erence is given to the transit of Brit- ish commodities to Russia. British ex- port licenses and letters of assurance at Washington are both issued in ac- cordance with the same lists of goods required by Russia, and no preference is given to British exporters. We have been at it pains to Institute as perfect “Scheme for the transit of American goods as of British.” cotton crop, ¥ ) v