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ONE OF AMERICA" S GREAT NEEDS. According to a recent speech of. President Wilson at West Point. "These arc the days when we arc making preparations, when the thing most discuss -d around e. ry sort of table, in every circle, in the shops and in the street, is prcpa:.-dness. and undoubtedly that is the present imperative duty of America, to be prepared." But we must aadeiatand what we tic preparing for and appreciate those things that we re.piire. writes . R, Bim- ;.i. n in the Cincinnati Inipiirer. The consensus of opinion from all quarters indicates that we are woefully weak iri suitable horses for the aalry. Our present experience with the banditti of Mexico, who raided our border, would seem to indicate that we require a IhiiIv of watchmen on guard, well mounted on strn-ig. rugged and sjieedy horses, such as only can be obtained by breeders having access to the thoroughbred cro-s. The American thoroughbred has been tried in the fire; he has been weighed in the balance and not found wanting. Over many a cup. Derby and handicap course tin y have fought for supremacy like the old gladiators in ancient Rome before excited and applauding multitudes. Energy, speed and endurance arc the characteristic attributes of the thoroughbred horse smart, quick and dependable. If the government should decide to promote the breeding "f the thoroughbred horse, and in case no war should ever come, it would improve the genera! horse stock of the country, so that instead of being a liability and a useless excuse, it would add materially to the assets of the country. All of this talk aiwut ai.v other breed answering the purpose as well •• rhCaerieaL To go back to the pure bred Arabian would l«- to go back in achievement u,,n years, and the reaalt of careful, progressive, scientific experimental hreeding would all be lost Ordinary English thoroughbreds have easily beaten tin-best Aiabs the monarchs of the Orient could produce. over the hot sands of the desert, at all distances from one to twenty miles, and the leaser the race the easier the victory. For the artillery, well-formed representative-, of certain standard-bred trotting families would be ideal. es]K-ciallv those whose sire-, have proved their worth ami endurance on the race track and trace back to a thoroughbred i foundation such as would fill all of the requirements contemplated for efficient service. It is almost criminal to be indifferent to tin- needs of the nation in this regard. Winn aaager from Mexico threatened a promiiu ut official telegraphed to Washington. "We have organized a company of cow-Ihi.vs and are all ready to go. with the exception of the mounts." A cavalryman might as well go to war without a gun as without a horse. In the boys training camps all over the country horsemanship should Ik- taught: it is a skillful accomplishment and a delightful recreation. Give the youths a military training camp and a chaii-e to learn to ride. Give them an opportunity to ride good horses and not some worn-out plugs that can hardly get out of their own way: the boys would enjoy the exercise and soon become proficient in the art. QtTC them well-bred, high-class, active horses, the kind that can lie put over a five-barred gate without making a mistake, when occasion demands. The young nn-n would soon learn hoseman-ship. discipline, respect for their elders and those in authority, lie obedient to the laws of the land and proud of the institutions of our country.
