25 JANUARY 1902, Page 31

A SUGGESTION.

[TO THE EDITOR OP THE •• sracrarort.1 Sru,—Reuter tells us on January 17th, in a telegram dated Mafeking, January 14th, among other things :—" Getting among the tents close to the fort before the garrison was aware of their proximity." Seemingly a surprise. Is there any reason why we should not use dogs as a help to our human sentries ? Atkinson in his " Amoor" (or " Western Siberia ") repeatedly mentions how in the Steppes the dogs gave notice of the approach of enemies long before they could be heard by men. We ourselves, I believe, employed them in the Suakin Ex- pedition with advantage. I would have a certain number regularly attached to the establishment of every regiment on

active service.—I am, Sir, &e., C. M.