The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-24
EDITORIAL NOTES.

The 5000, 900 rifles TO be manuia ctured for
Russia by the Chatelerault Gun Factory in
France are TO be OF the latest pattern-an I'M
prOvement on the famous Lebel rifle used by The
crack regiments OF France, the CALDER bein.
one-huudredth Of au inch larger, while tie muz-
Zle velocity is 100 feet greater than the
improved Mau,er rife OF the German army.
France naturally takes great pride in the Lebel
rife, which is OF 1928 callber. and has muzzle
velocity OF 2194 feet per second. IL is credited
with sending bullet through over 10 inches
OF oak at 220 yards. The powder IS secret
compound OF gun cotton and cOliOdiOn, produc-
ing no smONe, little noise aud a very slight re-
coil. The new Mauser magazine. on the bolt
system, has de achable magazine carrying five
catidges placed forward OF The guard which
can be filled by hand while remaining attached
TO tie gan. and at the same time single car
tTidges can also be replaced. The bullet is of
SOFT lead in 4 German silver casing. The new
Russian life is credited with being ahead OF
both these weapons IN certain respects, and
capable Of sending its messengers OF death TO
surprising distances. and through obstacles that
seem almost incredible.
The armies OF Europe on tue 1st of January
possessed artillery equipments as follows:
France $3.50 guns, Germany 2620 Russia
26O4, AuStro- Hungary 1886, Turkey 124S. Italy
1888, England eco, Rounania 400, Spain 378
tugal 2OS. Belgium I96, holland 12O Greece
1O2 and Denmark 9S. Tie Germans nave added
80 per cent aud the FIeHchmen 80 per cent TO
the equipment OF artillery in ammunition since
the Franco PTuSsian war. The Kre1t5-zeituRg,
in calling attention 10 the increase IN the French
military budget OF 800, 900 for 1892 states
that after this the regular standing French
army VIII have IS 900 officers. 5l7 geo men,
25.GOO gendarmes and 10000 horSeS-or 800
more officers, 10000 more men and 70, $40 more
horses than there are in the German army"
Mashonaand, which the Beers desire TO pos
sess. is described by Sir John WillOughby as 4
country of wonderful fertility, which yields
corn, sweet potatoes, beans and tobacco IN
abundance under the most primitive agricultural
methods. There are thousands Of square miles
OF fine grazing land. There is plenty Of timber,
water is everywhere. the climate is a good one
aud lovely scenery greeIs the eye in all dlrec-
tOns. Possession OF this fine stretch OF African
territory is not likely 10 be given up without
Struggle. The British Chartered Company has
already built forts, laid down railways aud
opened up Geographic communication. They
have the advantage Of possession but The Beers
are Of a very aggressive disposition and have
not forgotten the successes OF tie IransvaaL
France Is making great preparations for The
approaching maneuyers when between 10000
and $50 600 troops Will be placed under the CON-
maBd OF General SaussIer, assisted by General
Minbel, the Won Mollke Of France, and General
Galifet commanding the cavalry. The eff
cheney Of the new Lebel rife Will for the first
time be tried large scale. Each soldier viii
be provided with $50 blank cartridges, and each
battery with 500 charges Of smokeless powder.
In view OF The military activity Of Germanys
nejghbOrs II Is not surprising that Emperor
William has been stirring up things in the Rhine
provinces anc other exposed positions.