The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1896-07-18
BULLET-PROOF SOLDIERS.
Conditions Which Would Necessi-
tate New Engines Of War.
Tho Invention OF Herr Dove Would Tend
20 Bring Ont tho Athletic Force of
Men in BATTLE II Put L1to
Practical Use

II 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 a very re-
marliable one. Since the object of war
is to kill-"to place hors de combat" is
only q less crude way of putting the
fact-new ways Of killing infantry and
cavalry will havc to be devised. The
cha nces 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 fro, close combat with
boyonet and dubbed rihe-prefcrably
the latter, as the cuirass will make the
bayonet difficult to use with effect
and riding men down by cavalry
charges The first Of theee, artillery
fire, has hitherto been regarded as Of
comparatively little Importance in the
matter Of killing. It is often declared,
indeed, that the chief effect produced
by tho 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 Ere.
It 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 conscription, and so cannot get
men in large quantities, we can manu-
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-.1mble of close lighting than their
neighbors. The infantry nre naturally |
more handy aud more athletic, and the !
cavalry are, if not theoretically bet
ter, riders, more capable horsemen. An (
Engishman is more likely to get his /
horse to do the impossible than a
Frenchman or German. If, then,
Herr Doves invention enters the
region Of practical warfare, the change
will be in England's favor. 1t 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 q captain when
be 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,
here is no reason why the gunners
should not be very elaboratcly pre-
'ected by means Of Herr Doves patent
But if they are they will be
lble to work their guns IN the open and
1t close quarters in O way which Is now
,ften impossible owing to the fire Of
harpshooters- In truth, there are a
hundred points on which the bullet
,roof clothing alters all the conditions
# war. 1t will alter, too, some Of the
onditions of civil life. Insurrection
gainst invulnero bic men will become,
ven more impossible than it is now.
gain, the result on small bodies of
aen travelling in savage counties will
e very marked. When the savage =
annot wound his white foe, even men
o brave Us the Matabeles will find re-
lstance hopeless.
Possibly, however, ell we have writ
IN is destined to be quite beside the
ark, not because Of any flaw in Herr
'owe's system, but for a totally differ
ut reason. Suppose that the gun
ntths retoliate on Herr Dove by max.
,g gun that will send a bullet
trough his cuirass? In that case, the
resent conditions will remain. We
. not say that they will, but undoubt-
lily they will try. Meanwhile, ell we
In say is that, in the great duel be.
veen attack md defense, the latter,
tier lying hopelessly beaten for two
has. revived, and appears to
ave given her antagonist a heavy
low. Time will show whether we
ave to wait fifty years or only six
onths for counter-stroke.