The morning times., 1897-02-21
Death Rides
This Bicycle

motor bicycle has just been invented
by French genius which promises to
prove one Of the most formidable adjuncts
TO an army in conflict. Competent mill
tary authorities who have given the machine
and the idea of the inventor careful con-
sideration declare that q company Of sol
diers mounted on these cycles could in
flict more damage upon the enemy, pro-
yided the conflict did not occur in noun
famous country, than four companies OF
infantry equipped in, the regulation fash
ion. The French minister of war is Sc
rlously considering giving to the new
invention the sanction Of the government,
and is equipping several companies or the
army.
ihere nave been many experiments with
the bicycle in the armies OF Europe While
it is only within the past year that any
fixed effort has been made in the United
States to test the value Of the bicycle as
method for conveying a soldier from
place to place, both in company form and
as 4 dispatch bearer, the French have been
experimenting with tie wheel for more
than five years.
Now, as to the motor cycle itself. 1t is
in form and principle like the motor cycle,
with which we are all more less familiar
There are, however, one or two important
exceptions, the most notable of these he-
ing that the rider steers the cycle with his
feet, the handle bar, or rather the substi
tute for it. being adapted TO totally differ
ent purpose. The motor, the impelling
force of the cvclc, is located just forward
Of the rear wheel, and is of sufficient size
to insure n satisfactory rate of speed.
The small tank that carries the fuel which
supplies the motor contains an ample
quantity 10 guarantee at least a DAYS
journey without replcnshug The inyen-
tor claims that the machine will easily
make, over fairly rough country, from
twelve to fifteen miles an hour.
Perhaps the most notable feature OF the
cycle is the row of bayonets attached to
), a transverse bar, which is supported by a
| heavy steel rod that runs forward from
| the frame OF the machine. The bayonets
| extend forward sufficiently to clear the
| machine entirely, aud to hc without an
| impediment TO penetrate whatever the
rider may charge at In place OF the handle
! bars is a curved gun rest, which may lie
! moved upward To suit the desire OF the
rider Every rider is supposed to be armed
with a repeating rifle. and it wilt be uu
| derstood that from the fact that he can
steer the machine with his feet, he is left
| entirely free To use the weapon, as unin-
cumbercd as he would be If he were stand
ing on the ground, like the ordinary in-
! fantry man OF today.
| Such a combination as this. the French
| officers argue, would be almost irresistible.
! A charge 10y a company mounted on these
/ cycles would practically be one OF the most
| dreaded events in battle, bayOnet con
! flet, and heavy fire from riflemen
combined Every wheclman knows how
| expert the rider of motor cycle can be
! come n maintaining the equilibrium OF his
machine against both ordinary aud ex-
traordinary shock 1t would take more
than mere contact with a movable BODY To
| upset a rider OF motor cycle
II has been objected that the new cycle
! is not up to date because the motive power
! is gasoline rather than electricity But
| electricity for such use for bicycles or
| motor cycles-is only in its experimental
! stage While it is true that there is suf-