Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-06-19
\ Deadly Secret

Paris is still engaged in talking and
speculating about NJ. Turpins invention
of a deadly engine of war, capable of
wiping out an entire army in a quar-
ter of an hour or so. 1t will be remem-
bered that few days ago three Pa
risian journalists who had followed NJ.
Turpin toBrussels persuaded him togive
up all the plans of his invention for the
good of France, and returning to Paris
lodged the documents in the war Office,
greatly, it is said, to NJ. Dupuy's relief
and satisfaction. Until some official
report is made on the subject NJ. Tur-
pins alleged invention will doubtless
remain shrouGed in mystery. but mean
while speculation is rife. People are
asking one another whether Tarpin has
really invented what he says he has,
whether he actually intended to play
the traitor, whether he is not himself
wofully mistaken as to the value Of his
scheme, or whether the whole affair
is not gigantic attempt to eX-
tort money from the government.
All kinds OF rumors are rite as 10 what
the machine in question is intended TO
do, and the following narrative pub
lished on June in the European edi-
ton of New York Herald, is therefore
interesting as giving NJ. Turpin's own
views OF the matter:
The Paris Figaro publishes a most
important communication from NJ.
Francis Laur on the subject of NJ. Tur-
pins invention:
1t was in prison, says N. Laur, that
Turpin gave me glimpse Of the scheme
on which he was working He was
sufficiently explicit, Between what l
am going to describe and the perfected
apparatus there is all the distance
which separates mere study from
completed plan, but believe that my
account contains all the principal points.
II have" said Turpin, applied to
the cannon the principle of the mitrail-
leuse, with absolutely automatic load
ing apparatus. The gunner is done
away with, aud the liquelied gas or
other explosive is at once my motor
and my ammunition. Itis only n ques-
ton of machinery, but the trouble is with
the supplies. To take my weapon into
action | want an immense quantity of
ammunition. and that is why | need a
steamer or train TO carry all at once.
The railway would thus become sort of
limo Of defence and a hostile force might lie
enclosed in them as in poyGon Of iron. An
army ON the march would only have to put
in its front one OF M weapons. armored, Of
course, to be able to advance whittier it liked
with impuity 1t is 4 fan of fire covering,
if need be circle twelve kilometres i'll dia-
meter and sweeping away everything be-
fore it.
Turpin's many-tubed cannon would, says
VI. Laur. discharge little shells only few
centimetrcs in diameter. He seems to have
started from tho idea of the revolver cannon,
fixed on pivot. which are used in the navy,
but he has found the means of loading auto
mdtically and keeping up 4 continuous all
destroying fire. That is why he requires
steamer or train to carry tons of ammunition.
BY mcthodically turning the gun every
inch of circle twelve kilometres i'll diameter
eau be covered and. as each shell contains an
explosive, it would ON touching the ground
burst and scatter destruction around it. Such
a weapon placed on the Opera house could
destroy Paris in an hour.