The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-07-05
FOREIGN WAR NOVELS.
BALLOONS FOR FLOATING MEN AND
HORSES ACROSS RIVERS.

Bridges That May Be DisjOinted.
Towers which May BE Carried by
the Soldiers, to BE Used as Observ-
atorIes-PrOEress in Military Bal
looming and in Submarine Naviga-
tiOn-MOnsters which VIII Ply
the Deep.
From the Philadelphia Times.
Washington, June 26.-Recent reports
from the military attaches Of our lega-
tons in foreign countries are rich with
interesting information concerning many
unique war inventions which are being
tested or have been lately adopted by our
European relations. Although in the
event Of a great war between US and any
Of our powerful neighbors. both sides will
be prepared 10 launch strange things in
the heavens and on earth-to say nothing
of the seas-which are not dreamed of in
each others philosophy, there is consola-
ton in the thought that our adroit agents
abroad keep US posted concerning the
latest war devices known outside the
veriest secret circles Of the armies. By
such agents governments are able to keep
tons appear TO profit from a few able
brains kept boiling with schemes for max
ing warfare Of the future most diabolical
for the enemy. but with increasing com
fort and safety for the men on the home
side. The most conspicuous movement
now universally sfoot, in armies. is the
perfection Of economy in all implements
and weapons. thereby making room for
numerous useful additions.
Directly in this line is a unique inven-
ton lately adopted by the Austrian army.
1t is a shelter tent. which. when not
pitched, Is separated into pieces cut 50 as
to fold over and serve as coats for the
soldiers. The texture of the tent is light,
strong, waterproof linen bound at the
edges with wide braid and provided with
cords which serve a double purpose of
fastening either the tent or the coat. TWO
coats VIII make a tent amply large for
three men. The garments are especially
useful during the marches in stormy
weather. To obviate the necessity Of car
! rying cumbersome tent poles on the
march, the economic inventor has de-
igned a system whereby the rifles OF the
three men 10 occupy the tent, with bayO-
nets attached and stuck into the ground,
are formed into peculiar stack for sup
porting the tent-cOVer.
One OF the greatest obstacles to the
rapid advance or retreat OF armies mas
always been the unexpected inland river
or stream. The forcing of great military
attachments TO the banks Of great bodies
Of water has often resulted in serious de-
feat. Many days are often wasted for
out-of-the-way marches in search of
bridges which the retreating enemy has
burnt behind them. The Austrians are
hard at work upon this problem.
Capt Klima, Of the military swimming
! school, Vienna, recently invented peculiar
| inflated sacks or balloons for floating
men and horses upon the water. The de-
vices consist of two balloons 10 be fas-
tened TO the belt or harness of each man
or horse. When exhausted of air these
occupy no space TO speak Of in the field
kit. While these are still in the expert
mental stage, the Austrian cavalry lately
adopted floating foot-bridges about fifty
yards long by yard wide. These may be
| dlsjointed and distributed among the men
! during a march. In operation, each end
/ Of a bridge rests upon a folding canvas
/ boat. on approaching a river chain OF
/ such bridges is made by locking them
/ army may cross as readily as upon a
4 bridge of boats.
An equally. if not more. important prob
+ lem facing military engineers, is the per
lection Of a system whereby one army
may observe the doings of its enemy, in
+ order TO make sufficient preparation for
defense against it or attack upon it. SPIES
! dispatched into hostile territory usually
} their lives. Hoping TO facilitate the nee
+ essary qualification Of military curiosity
Russia is experimenting with naval OBJ.
/ seryation towers, which, like the Aus.
! trian bridges. may be untointed and
1 readily carried from place TO place on tbs
i march. In a recent test with these il was
4 demonstrated that a squad Of sixty mer
/ could erect one within twenty minute.
/ when supplied with the proper pieces al
1 ready made. In another test the same
I number of men put up a tower OF tbs
+ same kind by cutting down trees anC
I properly fashioning them within but ar
/ hour. Besides affOrding observatorie,
1 from which men with field glasses ma,
I look down into a hostile camp or watci
I the approach Of the enemy over the low
Z cred horizon, these towers If adopted viii
( be used by the Russians for signal sra.
I tions from which great bodies OF troop,
I may be commanded in the field
To these same ends Russia is alzo con
I Quoting extensive balloon experiment.
I With electric search-lights Of 500 candle
Z power. These when floating $50 meter
I above the earth viii throw daylight 1ino,
I a circular area so meters in diamater
4 When sent aloft above q hostile carnr ~
servers travelling in one of these would h
able to study the condition OF a surprise,
/ enemy.
War balloons have been objected ~ h,
many great military authorities for IN
reason that they are excellent targets ~
the enemy While they reveal the ,.-Lo-o