The record-union., 1897-01-25

an easy matter to perceive that charge
made by a couple of hundred men riding
abreastand armed in this way would be
more deadly than charge of twice that
number of cavalry.
The tricycle., or military duplex safety,
as it is called, is thought of favoraIbly,
Tor the reason that the space between
the two rear wheels is well adapted to
the carrying of ammunition. The gun
is rigged on cross-bar between two
saddles and is easily manipulated by
one Of the riders.
Another machine in use Is a tandem
bicycle rugged with two rapid fire guns.
Ihe entire weight Of the guns, ammuni-
tion and wheel is less than 200 pounds
Ot course, marvelously fast time cannot
De made, but two men can propel the
wheel a greater distance and in much
less time than would be the case With
ordinary artillery.
french and German army officers con-
cur In the belief that the perfected mill
tary bicycle will afford a means for the
rapid movement of light artillery. All
efforts just now are concentrated in that
direction.
the most striking application of the BIZ
cycle has been made to army maneu-
Vers. The next great war will find the
bicycle skirmisher the terror of all COM
manderS
The commander marching into the en-
emy's country has had in times past to
rely upon corps Of fleet horsemen to
feel his way and follow the move
ments of the enemy. The extent Of ter
ritory over which this could be done
daily was limited by the powers of the
horse, which are limited.
The bicycle skirmishers, however, suf-
fer under no such limitations. Sarting
out before daybreak, these flying
skirmishers can cover wide extent of
territory and be back in camp by the
middle Of the afternoon, after traversing
fifty to sixty miles of road. Corps Of
such SkirmiSherS may start out to eX-
plore the contry in one direction and
send back bulletins to camp every few
minutes about what they find. Any wan
dering group of the enemy which may
be encountered could be quickly wiped
out or taken prisoners by bicycle skirm-
ishers, whose rapid-fire guns can open
upon them at close range before they be-
come aware of their presence. The BIZ
cycle skirmishers make it possible for
the commander to know everything that
is taking place within 200 miles Of
where he is stationed.
Even when driven back, the bicycle
skirmishers may penetrate far within
the enemys lines under cover Of dark
ness on their noiseless steeds. Many
times in history the approach Of the
enemy has become known by the tramp
ing Of the horses, which, upon a. hard
road, can be heard a long way off on a
still night
Placing their ears to the ground, ex-
perienced campaigners have detected
this ominous sound when the horses
were miles away Nothing Of this kind
is possible with the bicycle, which al
most flies on the wings Of the night.
A mounted horseman makes large
object at night, but a bicycler crouching
over his handlebars could only be seen
with difficulty. He makes a very diff
cult target to hit.
The tandem skirmishers are specially
formidable. They have a speed which
no horse can attain.
In times of danger the rider in front
can bend low and work the pedals while
his companion can fire over his shoulder,
pouring a hail Of shot from his rapid
fire gun into the ranks of the enemy.
The bicycle itself is an extremely diff
cult thing to hit.