New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-20

tances himself counting each step as he zoe,
along, or keep record of the pace his horse |,
going at Neither Of these means is nearly a,
satisfactory as the record of the cyclometer
The silence Of movement is most imporan
point in favor of cycist-iniantry Every ons
knows how necessary it is for cyclists to ring the,
bells to warn passengers OF their approach. But
at night provided there is light enough to sec the
edges of the road, cyclists can attack outpost
without betraying their presence until they are
up to the line of sentries. by this means the
enemy would be soon wearied out with the CON
slant threat of these night attacks. The moral
effect Of this power of stealthy approach from
distances beyond the march Of infantry mus,
produce either a feeling of nervousness or. what
Is more important, necesstate an increase in the
number detailed for outpost duty, thus firing out
the enemy.
The last and perhaps most important point
TIE comparative independence of base which d
within the power of the cyclist-infantry. few
thousands Of these men, thoroughly trained and
in friendly country, would want 10 commlssarlat
Their knapsack, days rations and as much
ammunition could be carried would be all that
was required wel-trained band of such men
could concentrate the TANKS of an invader. OF
even threaten the line of communications with
his base. Such attacks, well carried out, would
soon have disastrous effect upon any army
Should this matter of cyclist-infantry be taken
up as a National affair, it might in time bring
about an Improvement in the state Of the pubic
rOads-a cOnsummatiOn GeyOutly 10 be wished,
especially by every cyclist
The cyclist-infantry bicycle in use in Europe
is built to carry an infantry man. rifle, knapsack
and from $50 to 200 rounds Of Martnilienry
cartridges The ordinary load of cartridges foI
an infantry man being fifty, 1t will be seen what
an advantage as a weght-carrler alone the b1cy'
Gle is. ~
The 18th Separate Company Will use the ordl.
nary safety" bicycle, with the rifles strapped
across the mems backs, and the inapsacNs liked
10 the seats behind, till the regular infantry bl-
cycle can be procured, on which place Tor sling.
iHg the rife is provided The bicycles now 10
use in the German and English armies, shown IN
the illustration, cost about Clio each and are ex-
ceedinplv durable and calculated TO last for seven
wears with ordinary usage.
The growth of bicycling as popular sport IN
This country is almost amazing Bicycle manufact-
urers saV-t6at orders for the machines are pouring
i'm 50 fast that many houses handling hrst-class
wheels are OBLIGED to discourage orders Tor the
time being The tendency OF parents - provide
CHEAP and poorly made machines for tnelr boys IS
still noticeable. though the testimony OF nunret
Of cyclists in the neighbOrhOOd of New-l Ork, who
sneak from experience, is that 10 buy cheap Dl.
cycle j. n poor investment, because sums pald
zach month for repairs will AMOUNT in the course
of a wear 10 an ASTONISHING total, enough IN many
cases if added 10 the original price, 10 nave pro.
clireTi a frst-class article. \ load has been llted
from the hearts of anxious mothers since the ar
rival of the safety" bicycle. for II cannot De de-
Mod that the ordinary wheel is a somewhat dam
rcrous steed, especially in the hands OF venture