The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-30

SCIENCE OF KILLING.
Unequal to ths Demands That Arc Made
Upon It,

Unequal to tho Demands That Arc Made
Upon II.
There is ono branch OF scientific expert
ment that IL almost unequal to this de-
mands upon ". although new discoveries in
that line are being announced every day.
This branch il in the direction Of securing
new methods and materials for military
and naval uas In destroying armies and
nnviea. The range of experiments is n wide
one and takes in all dspartm Of physics
and chemistry. New metal 10 being forged
for guns on the one hand and for srinor on
tho other. and almost every improvement
In ono direction 10 followed aoonor or later
by discoysry In the other. Bat beaidss
ths methods already in use, IL is to be OK
pected that the next great war between
civilized nations. if the world shall be 80
unfortunate M to have Ons. will witness the
employment OF some military means which
will be moro or less novel in modern war
fare.
The uso Of smokeless powder In ono OF
the novelties with which the world ia al
rendy more or less familiar by description;
but " II not so well known that ths war de-
partment Of England ia now experimenting
with grenRdes which are intended to work
in Just the opposite way and TO produce
such huge quantities of smoke AZ will hide
the military operation OF large force of
troops. Az q precaution against such war
fare. modern armies may be obliged to ON
ploy the Illuminating bombs now being
manufactured by the Italian war depart
caused to explode with & brllliancy of 1O0,-
900 candles. 1t will be more difficult. how
ever. to find an adequate specific against
the mellnite bombs now ready for use in
tho French army. At q recent trial of these
bombs. which explode and set at libe'ty
highly poisonous gas, single one was
fired at vessel which carried sheep and
goats. and not one animal escaped death.
These weapons are evidently of danger
GUS character and tend to make war even
more terrible than it has been in the past.
1t has been suggested that it would be more
humane TO use, instead of the poisonous
melinite. some less powerful drug, which
might fulfill the exact meaning az we'll az
the spirit of the pugilistie phrase, putting
the enemy to sleep;" but as yet the expert
ment has not been tried.
In addition many chemists are engaged
on the problem of 6nhin9 some high explo-
sive that can be transported and fred from
cannon with danger to the enemy alone.
The naval mechanics of the would are at
mpting to find the best type for sub
marine vessel for torpedo work. Other
mechanics. like the AuRlican-Ame in
ventor, Maxim, are at work on flying ma
chimes with reasonable prospect of sue
cess. The war department of this country
ia experimenting with war balloons and will
have an interesting exhibit of its new bal
loon trains" at the Chicago exposition.
Small balloons with automatic cameras are
to be used in taking ''snap-shots' at the
enemy from above. In fact, the improve
| ments which have already been made in
military methods are so numerous and in
terestinR that it seems certain that the
next great war will be as different from
those which have preceded it, as the great
rebellion in this country was from the war
of the roses or the great ctusades. es.-Boston
Advertiser,