PERIPATETICS: Of Mules & Men

To keep the world from collapsing, the U.S. is exporting animals as well as statesmen, technicians and businessmen. Both animals and men need physical and mental conditioning to become citizens of a strange and troubled world.

The celebrated Missouri mule, isolationist by temperament, has been having some rude shocks, is due for more. Mules sent to Mexico as replacements for oxen killed in the campaign against aftosa (foot-&-mouth disease) have been causing trouble because they were too pampered.

Said Mexico City's Ultimas Noticias: "It is said that the mules must be bathed every eight days with warm water. Their hides must be trimmed and disinfected periodically. They have been accustomed to eat oats and other fine foods which our farmers might wish to have for themselves on a day of fiesta.

"As it will be impossible to continue giving them so many considerations here, they will be submitted to an acclimation treatment, in the full meaning of the word, during which they will have to become accustomed to making fewer demands."

Five hundred U.S. mules, earmarked for Greece as part of the $300 million aid program, have been undergoing "gentling treatment" at Fort Reno, in Oklahoma. They will sail from New Orleans in September. Since mountainous Greece is not like flat Oklahoma, the mules may find it hard going at first. But at least there will be no language difficulty, for these mules will have U.S. skinners: 50 hard-bitten G.I.s.