Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-29
FRENCH ARMY wHEELMEN.
Bicycles aud Tricycles TO be Used In
Carrying Dispatches.

From the New York Times.
The French minister Of war has lately sane
toned the employment Of the velocipede in
the French army for carrying dispatches. Each
infantry regiment 10 10 have four metaphysics.
The chiefs Of corps are themselves to choose
them from among the men Of all grades in the
reserve and the territorial army who volunteer
and offer the best guarantee for fulfilling the
service. These velocipedists are 10 provide
their own mounts, and, in addition to their
pay proper, are to have q daily allowance.
The service Of these men during the grand
maneuvers Is TO be arranged by the generals
commanding the army corps. who are also 70
regulate All matters in relation to dress equip
inent and accouterment. The question Of what
Is required from the velocipedists is one that
pas received much more attention in France
than In any other country. and they have
better and more distinct idea OF the services
tnat can De performed by such means of loco
motion than can be obtained in any other mil
itary service. In the maneuvers of the French
eighteenth army corps in 1856 the general re-
ported that his messages had been carried three
times as quickly by yelocipedes as by any other
way. and the following year the experiments
were repeated with similarly satisfactory re-
suits.
The number Of velocipedists participating in
these manepvers was twenty hve-nine with
bicyclettes. ten with bicycles and six with tri-
cycles. They were employed solely for the
Transmission OF orders between the various
headquarters. The roads and paths followed
were, as a rule, unsuited to rapid progress with
vehicles of the kind referred to, the soil being
sandy and the ground much cut up by the pas
sage OF cavalry and artillery. In spite of that,
II was shown that the messenger travelling by
horse, In distance of forty kilometers, was
often one hour and a half and sometimes two
hours longer than the velocipedist The chief
OF the military velocipedlsts in England says
that not more than six TO ten miles per hour
should be expected from military cyclists.
The machine most suited seems TO be the tri
cycle or bycyelette. The bicycle which Is the
hghtest, cannot develop the same quality of
speed except on very even ground. Its center
OF gravity being in the wheel in front, the con-
tact with stone or rut may cause a serious fall
can only be effected progressively. The bicy-
clette has more stability than the bicycle. as Its
center Of gravity is between the two wheels. on
the tangent OF the back wheel. 1t is supplied
with brake which can stop il instantaneo usly,
but the rider is obliged to dismount at once.
The tricycle. has proved the most stable OF all,
and O soldier can make use of il without any
apprenticeship, SO necessary with the two other
styles Of vehicle. IL is announcement. however,
as its speed is not the same as the bicycle and
II ID lar more fatguing, on account of the
greater friction of the gearing and also from
the fact OF its making three ruts instead Of a
single one. A loose jacket, giving liberty of
movement, trousers buttoning at the ankle and
laced boots seem the most suitable clothing for
rapid and continuous work. LeggiEs are said
to be too hot. An indiarubber cloak. with a
hood to give protection from the rain. and a
leather bag to carry dispatches without danger
of crumpling them are also suggested. The
revolver Is the only arm carried, that being
considered sufficient to defend the rider against
a chance attach