New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-10

Comparison of these Results with those received
from abroad giving due weight variations In lengths
Of bore and weight Of projcctile shows the marked
superiority OF American powder from which higher and
more regular velocitics and lower uniform
pressures obtained. Only 800 pounds of smoke
les powder have been made AT Newport, the
machines used In the various operation Of manufacture
have been necessarily limited pending results OF tests
with the powder. The output Will he greatly In
creased soon so far the Navy Department has been
unable to make a satisfactory smokeicss powder for
small arms, the difficulty being that form Of powder
securing ignition snd perfect combustion will not al
NIT OF cartridges being loaded by machinery. This
same difficulty Is experienced abroad.
IL is learned AT the War Department that wire
wound ten-inch rined gun designed by Captain VIII
lam Crozier of the Army is nearing complexion al
Watervet arsenal. and will be ready for trial at
Sandy Hook next month. Great interes; attaches to
the tests OF this gun, and every practicable precau
ton seems 10 haye been taken to overcome the
obvious weak point OF wirewOund guns, winch Hes
I'm their lon gitudina strength II the trials prove
successful many experts believe that the days OF
the costly and otherwise OBJECTIONABLE" buiit-up
great gun are numbered Enthusiastic admirers OF
the wound system Of gun construction are OF the
opinion that the new method will revolutionze Of l
theories and greatly reduce the cost and time OF
manufacture. Even conservative experts realize the
advantages which will follow the adoption OF method,
CT gun construction which obvatc the necessity of
handling and finishing the great forgiDgs required In
Guilt-up guns Wire-wound guns can be made easily
and quickly, and this fact is one of great Importance
!, such guns viii only stand the terrible strains IN
every direction accustomed by the high pressires III
firing objection TO the policy of waiting until hos
tlitics have actually begun before making ample
p,erstjon for war viii be considerably lessened. tn"
Crozier gun consists principally OF steel tube over
laid from breech 10 muzzle with practically coll
tinuous cover OF steel wire wound In several layers
@ her guns Of this character previously tested were
only wire wrapped from the brcech 10 the unhhoh'
snd were thoroughly satisfactory with respect 10
strength ard power. jacket cylinder enveilSs the
steel wire over the reinforce OF the Croner gu ana
continuous LAYER OF hoops made OF cast STEEL OIL tenn
rered and annealed. covers the wire over 'he oa"'
from the trunnion hoops forward to the m"z=ie IN
coils OF wire are electrically welded end 10 emu anu
are MANIPULATED IA the rapid process OF VIVA
Ing by machinery. The breech mechahis"' - '''
same as that used in other Army guns.
I, appears that false impression has been created
by the publication OF excerpts from the ne" .aNa,
regulations. which provide Una. al prsoaS rweni are
forbidden 10 publish communicate directly or ind
rocy. Information concernns me Pocy Vi . 1s
references this regulation mention has ng oee
made Of the fac, that Naval officers ana emp,oye'
who have permission OF the secretary Of the Navy 10
contribute articles 10 newspapers ana magazine are
nnce.rarv and proper one and issued for the pur
pos9 Of preventing publicity being aven 10 o,o o' M
secrets the foreign relations OF 'ns @spres
ihit act, In violation OF good order and discipline
Onlcers have not infreluently INDUCED In pubic con
deInna lion OF the Official acts OF "a miii,ary supcro,,
The same other officers have also AT times gwen w
the press information which the public interests u
nianded should be- Withheld, and other important
private Intelligence. ~.s
The regulation Is not constructed 10 apply 10 oimeed
who write articles Of general Interest on hn,rn ~
known publicity. merely with an honest Intention %
IL discriminating naval and who avoid personal or
improper reflection or criticism upon the poIcy OF
acts OF officials. On the contary, officers VINO con
inbut. TO the press articles Of purely proper I'm,
personal character. really benefting the serc'
by giving publicity 10 IFS progress and development.
secretary Herbert did Secretary Tracy. appreciates
the value the Navy - having officers write for thc
press and thereby securing accurate reference 70
matters Of technical nature. IL Il apparent Thai
Naval officers who have the authority Of the Secrt
tary publicly to discuss professional subjects VIII
ronfnc themselves to proper, respectful limits an
officer who failed 10 do could be- liable TO court
martial for a breach Of discipline. There are q mum
Der Of officers who have shown marked ability both us
corres dents and authors.