Evening journal., 1896-12-19
DYNAMITE IN WARFARE.


1t is a surprising fact that the Cuban
patriots are at present beating the
world in modern warfare. The latter
has for many years tended in the di-
rection of more slaughter under the
belief that the greater the sacrifice Of
human life the sooner wars would be
terminated. The great nations of the
world have been for years experiment
ing with devices to kill their enemies
at the greatest distances and in the
largest numbers, but 1t is only recently
that dynamite has come into use for
this purpose, and no war between two
great nations has taken place since the
discovery of this substance for the gen.
eral slaughter of humanity.
II is interesting and somewhat curl
Gus to know how the Cuban patriots
first came to use this terrible weapon.
1t appears that in the mines of Cuba
dynamite was used previous to the
breaking out of the revolution. The
commanders of the insurgents were
familiar with its use and quick 10 take
advantage Of the power which il gave
them. Thus It seems that they did not
employ this modern mode of warfare
so much because of it's efficiency as
munitions Of war with which their en-
emy was fully supplied.
Thomas A. Edison is quoted with
having said: "Maceo has tons Of dyna-
mite. and a score OF more Of men who
know how to handle the explosive to
the very best advantage AS long as
he makes proper use of the supply OF
dynamite he will remain master of the
situation" These words from this
man will strike terror into the hearts
of the Spaniards who compose Cuba's
invading army, for probably no one
knows more about the power of dyna-
mite and the capability of the Cubans
60 use IL. Mr.. Edison goes on with a
thoroughly practical and interesting
description OF the matter, as follows:
ITO plant a field with dynamite is
an easy task. All you have to do is tc
make a series OF shallow cutters OF
burrows, which need not be more thar
six inches deep. lay an insulated wire
Then plant the waterproof dynamite
cartridges and connect the fuses Will
the wire. There should be a space oi
thirty or forty feet between each cart
ridge. The insulated wires are con
nected with other wires, which stretcl
from the mine to some point mile ol
two away. All these wires are buried
and as there is little or no grass lane
in that section of Cuba, it is not diff
cult to restore the surface of the fiel,
to its former condition. The cart
ridges take up but little room, and ar
easily secreted in the sandy soil. Eacl
cartridge contains about pound o
dynamite and resembles a large ba
mana. They are worth about so cent
each.
After the wires are laid and tn
cartridges adjusted the electrician ii
charge simply connects the other en-
of the communicating wire with a ten
cell battery. and is ready for tie work
From the crest of Hill or the top of
tree, and armed with a strong field
glass. he waits for the enemy. He ma
be two or three miles from the field G
dynamite, but at any rate he is ia
enough away 10 be out of DANCE
When the enemy reaches the field th
electrician signals TO his commandin
officer. who i'm turns signals to hin
The electrician simply presses a but
ton; the dynamite in the distant iel
does the rest
Whether this is the plan carried OF
by the Cubans or not, it is certainly
very simple one given upon the autho
ity of the ablest electrician in I.
world. The result Of such explosion
are simply frightful. Persons standir
thirty or forty feet from cartrldl
will be killed. although their bodi
may not reveal a scratch. It is b
lieved that Maceo had probably plant'
every pass in the hills with oynamii
and If Weyler and his men continue
follow him that they will be literal
blown to atoms. knowledge of this ia
is undoubtedly what has retarded d
movement of the Spanish army