The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1895-01-25
BULLET-PROOF SOLDIERS.
Conditions Which Would Neceesi-
tate New Engines Of War.
The Invention Of Herr DOVE Would Tend
20 Bring Out the Athletic Force OF
Men In Battle II Put Into
Practical Use.


Practical Use.
If we are right in our reasoning, and
if. again, there is not some latent but
fatal defect in Herr Doves system, the
result on warfare will be very re-
markable one. Since the object of war
is to kill-''to place hors de combat is
only a 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 rif1e-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 amount of
hand-to-hand fighting. But~hand-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 will
give an advantage to the nation which
can only bring a small number of troops
into the field. But that nation is Eng
land. 1t will increase the Importance
of artillery. But this should be in
favor of England, for though we have
not the CONSUMPTION, and SO cannot get
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
Englishman is more likely to get his
horse to do the impossible than
Frenchman or a German. If, then,
Herr Doves invention enters the
region of practical warfare, the change
will be in England's favor. It will
give us a 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 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 Doves patent
material. But if they are they will be
able to work their guns in the open and
at close quarters in way which is now
often impossible owing to the fire of
SharpShOOters. In truth, there are a
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. Instruction
against invulnerable men will become
even more impossible than it is now.
Again, the result on small bodies of
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 flaw in Herr
Doves system, but for totally differ
ent reason. Suppose that the gun
smiths retaliate on Herr Dove by MAX
ing gun that will send a bullet
through his cuirass? In that case. the
present conditions will remain. We
do not say chat they will, but undoubt-
edly they will try. Meanwhile, all we
can say is that, in the great duel be-
tween attack and defense, the latter,
after lying hopelessly beaten for two
centuries. has revived, and appears to
have given her antagonist a heavy
blow. Time will show whether we
have to wait fifty years or only six