The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-27
PORT OF WEST POINT, OCT. IS. Iso
THE MKT sLI FJGHT.
To be Fought Under New Conditions Made
by >mokeie.s Powder.

commanders will be enabled to manoeuvrc
in sight Of one another, execute danger
Gus tactical movements and he Lvpt
at all times under perfect control by
the Admiral commanding, through the
system OF flag signals. The ADVENT ct
smokeless powder therefore promises TO
revolutiOnize the eyolutions of modern
war ships when in action. The entire
fleet drill book will probably be over
hauled and allowance made for the ease
with which signals can be used.
II has been only in the last few years
that the authorities Of the War and Navy
departments have turned their attention
toward perfecting a brand OF powder
capable Of high velocities quick burn
Ing, and at the same time porducing lit
tie or no smoke. H. the last few months
both departments have found a formula
which. they declare, will give this Gov
eminent the strongest and best powder
known to the military powers Of the
world.
In a lew weeks the navy will purchase
upward Of 10000 pounds Of the new
powder for the vessels IN service, and
this Will be followed later by still larger
orders until there IS a good stock on
hand for all emergencies. Al present the
factory at Newport cannot furnish the
so that it will become necessary for the
department TO send its formula TO some
private powder mandatory in order 10
facilitate deliveries and increase the sup
ply.
The last war shows that during some
Of the great fleet evOutions in the South
ships frequently ran foul Of one another
through their inability 70 navigate prop
crly when Obscured IN smoke, and tnat
many a mistake was made because the
signals could not be seen from the flag
ship. There were instances also when
one vessel fred on ship or her Own
squadron. believing her 10 be ship OF
the enemy with the new powder twenty
vessels might engage an equal number.
but every ship would be able TO read the
orders OF the Admiral accurately. The
same number Of vessels in an engage
rnent whore the present black. slow-burn.
ing powder was used would develop
smoke cloud which. IN five minutes after
the action began, would practically snus
out of sight each vessel from the other.
The confusion on board when the men
are not able TO see those at the next
gun Is said also 20 have led TO mistakes
resulting in some instances 10 the los.
OF the vessel.
The adoption Of the new powder by
the army will necessitate alteration IN
the tactics applying 10 operations on the
field OF battle. The infantryman who
fires with this powder At once obtains
the advantage Of having clear held %
fire. But on the other hand II he Is
unprovided with cover. either natural or
artificial there will be no protecting cloud
OF smoke 20 conceal him. and should
the enemy have found cover he. on his
side. is more vulnerable than when the
smoke showed his position. The SUPPOSE
ton that troops can be exposed 10 NJ
without knowing whence IL comes IS more
or less fanciful in the opinion Of Gen.
Miles and the best military tacticians in
Washington.
1t is admitted that with the suppression
OF smoke the advance against a position
viii no doubt be somewhat more difficult
than formerly. but the danger will not be
greater until within yO or Go yards Of
the enemy Beyond this point. when dis
tauccs can be judged with less difficulty.
when the errors of aiming are small
and where tn trajectory Of the bullets az
the new army gun VIII be altogether dan
gerous IL will make little difference, the
evperts say. whether smokeless or nom
slnokeless powder is used With high-
powered guns capable OF terrific Nelocities
and greater accuracy than the ola war
time pieces il Will be OF the greatest
benefit 10 soldiers 20 have clear Held.
without a cloud Of snoke. so that long
distance aiming can Boz done and good
target made of the enemy The absence
Of smoke the army says. will be or ma
terial advantage 90 the defender who
can occupv positions which give cover.
while those ATTACKING must very often
II not always advance unconcealed. IL
some cases formation Of the ground Nigh.
enable them to approach under cover. hu.
these are exceptions. and sooner or later
be must disclose himself.
Whatever result smokeless powder may
have when infantry is fighting. II Is quite
clear 10 the army that ii will exercise con-
siderable influence on the other two arms.
the artillery and cavalry. The adyan-
taees which II will confer on the artillery
are set forth by ordnance onicers as TO-
lows: IT leaves clear field OF fire. ana
will render il possible. therefore. when
firing upon artillery. 10 distinguish the
guns from the intervals and TO keep the
ire Of ones own guns directed on tho
former. The obser, alton OF the fire will
also he simplified while with the new
powder the effect Of projectiles which
hurst In The rear OF the smoke. caused
~. the erernv's guns. could not be seen.
The effect Of iong-range fire Will also be
as easily observed as az short. When the
artillery IS employed in an open country
it will be more difficult 10 conceal IL
while the smoke formerly screened il
from view The movements Of batteries
il Is claimed. will be more dificult since
no ADVANTAGE can be taken OF the smoke
II is noveihlv an exaggeration 70 say.
as many officers have who look unon the
Introduction OF emokaless powder as
necessitating q direct change in the pres
ent tactics. that the cavalry will he
rendered valueiess on the battlefield. ThG
same oninion was expressed the army
men saw. when firearms We're introduced.
and stni the cavalry remains an import-
ant factor In all military organizations
Some OF the closest students Of the art
~ war contend that tho cavalry will not
annear on tho battlefield IN the next great
wars hn' will he reserved solo'v ~ screar
the infarfrv and for reconnoit erirg pur-
Noses. Others contend that. as man or
horses are hieter above the ground than
irfa-t-vrner thew have hetrer onporiunl-
ties OF seeing what e before them regard
less OF snote clouds and that when the
time for rhe cavalry comes 10 act II
makes no difference whether the enernr
Is concealed By waves OF black smoke
or standing IN plain view.-Baltirnore Sun