The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1894-10-05
BULLET-PR00F SOLDIERS.
Conditions Which Would Necessi-
tate New Engines Of War.



If we are right in our reasoning, and
if, again, there is not some latent but
fatal defect in Herr Dove S system, the
result on warfare win be very re-
marlable one. Since the object Of war
is to kill-'tto place hors de combat is
only less crude way of putting the
fact-new ways Of killing infantry and
cavalry will have to be devised. The
chances Of hitting men in the face at
long distances with rifle fire says the
London Spectator, will not be good
enough But the only ways Of killing
effectively that will remain open will
be artillery fire. close combat with
boyonet and dubbed rife--preferably
the latter, as the cuirass will make the
bayonet difficult to use with effect
and riding men down by cavalry
charges. The first of these, artillery
fire, has hitherto been regarded as Of
comparatively little Importance in the
matter of killing, 1t is often declared,
indeed, that the chief effect produced
by the guns is the moral effect Though
not many are killed, men do not like
to be within range of artillery Pos
sibly, however, the effect of artillery
fire could be increased. In any case,
and since everything is relative, the
fact of the falling off OF efficiency in
rifle fire must increase the importance
of artillery fire.
1t is obvious, however, that the chief
effect of bullet-proof soldiers on the
circumstances of a battle would be to
increase enormously the arlpat of
hand-to-hand fighting. Bat aana-to-
hand fighting means an advantage to
the strongest and most athletic force.
Now it will be seen from the bare emu
meration Of the changes which seem
likely to follow bullet-proof soldiers
that great advantage will be given TO
England. Bullet-proof cuirasses viii
give an advantage to the nation which
can only bring small number OF troops
into the field. But that nation is Ing
land. 1t will increase the importance
of artillery. But this should be in
favor of England, for though We have
not the conseription, and so cannot get
men in large quantities, we can mnnu-
facture as many guns as we choose.
Next, the revival Of close combat
ought to be in our favor, for English
men are certainly better at the rough
and-tumble Of close fighting than their
neighbors. The infantry are naturally
more handy and more athletic, and the
cavalry are, if not theoretically bet
ter riders, more capable horsemen An
Engishman is more likely to get his
horse to do the impossible than a
Frenchman or German. II, then,
Herr Doves invention enters the
region Of practical warfare, the change
will be in England's favor. 1t will
give US chance to escape being
pressed to the ground by hostile mil
lions
In the navy, no less than in the army;
the cuirass should be of enormous i'm
portance. During a sea fight great
many things will want doing under a
storm of rifle fire, but will hardly be
done except in one Of Herr Doves
jackets. A few bullet-proof sailors
would be godsend to captain when
he was fighting his ship against heavy
odds. In the field, too, the cuirass
would be Of great use to artillerymen.
Since they do not have to march, but
either ride or sit on the gun carriages,
there is no reason Why the gunners
should not be very deliberately pre-
tected by means Of Herr Dowes patent
material. But If they are they will be
able towork their guns in the open and
at close quarters in q way which is now
often impossible owing to tle fire Of
sharpshooters. In truth, there are
hundred points on which the bullet
proof clothing alters all the conditions
of war. 1t will alter, too, some Of the
conditions of civil life. Insarrect;on
against invulncrablc men viii become
even more impossible than it IS now.
GoAhf tAS lOSuAb vi plnesil gDittc VI
men travelling in savage counties will
be very marked. When the savage
cannot wound his white foe even men
so brave as the Matabeles will find re-
sistance hopeless
Possibly, however, all we have writ
ten is destined to be quite beside the
mark, not because Of any ilaw in Herr
Doves system, but for o to.ally diif1er-
ent reason. Suppose that tie gun
smiths retaliate on Herr Dewa lsy s:l.ilE-
ing gun that will send biiiltt
through his cuirass? In thas c.p.a, s.l4
present conditions viii remain. We
do not say that they VIII, batlun 4. ~
edly they win try. Meanwhile. ~; .Tc
can say is that, in the great dlt.l be-
tween attack and defense, Ire litter,
after lying hopelcssly beaten fcr two
centu-ies has revived, and appcsra to
have given her antagonist heavy
blow. Time with show whether te
have to wait fifty years or only six
months for counter-strolse.
NOT THE RIGHT TICKET