The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1897-12-25
CURIOUS CANNON INVENTED.
Makes No Noise When Fired NOR limits
smoke or Flame.

COHtOOS CANNON INVENT Ell
Makes No Noise When Fired Nor limits
smoke or Flame.
It is Just announced that a cannon
has been invented the report OF which
none can hear, and which emits neither
smoke nor fire, says the Philadelphia
Times. It is the invention of Col,
Humbert, a retired artillery officer, who
has made study for years Of the sub
teet. The proiectile, or, rather, the
composition thereof, the powder and
the method of discharge are all widely
at variance with those familiar to artil-
lerists.
Col. Humbert claims that by means
OF his apparatus a cannOnade can be
kept up at distance of from two to
four miles without the enemy being
able to form any idea as to the posi-
ton of the battery. In this way he
says that batteries can be planted in
the vicinity of the Notifications Of an
army, yet so far therefrom as to be be-
yond sight, even if the most powerful
field glasses are used. In such in
stances as these he claims that aim
could be taken by means of detailed
maps and diagrams showing the exact
position Of trees, etc., all Of which in
formation could be obtained by scout
ing parties.
For instance, battery of artillery
could take up position just beyond the
line of vision and carefully map out
program of Shots Every point Of
the enemy's fertilization or camps
would be known, or at least all that it
was necessary to know, and thus the
enemy would be exposed to a fire
which would apparently come from a
battery well within range, and which
they would be totally unable to locate
In some instances the point of shock
projeetiles and the objects at which
they we're fred would give an idea OF
the direction in which they came; but
If, for instance, high-angle shooting
or firing in the air, were adopted, the
shells would come plunging down
from a height, and their point of en-
barkation would be a mystery.
In such cases the only way to ascer.
tain the whereabouts of the battery
would be to send out scouting parties in
all directions, and in the meantime the
firing would continue. One Of the most
difficult things with which the COM
manders Of troops have to contend is
mystery. Soldiers are not afraid OF
tangible objects, but when death
comes upon them from a totally un.
known and unseen quarter they easily
become panic-stricken and fly in what
ever direction seems to be opposite ia
the one in which danger lies. Thus
Col. Humbert believes that his sys.
tenn of artillery would brighten the
soldiers, in addition to killing many OF
them, and that this combination would
be sufficient to rout any army or reduce
any town thus bombaTded.
1t is, however, not only artillery thai
this new invention is applicable, fol
the inventor declares that it would be
quite as easy to manufacture small
arms on the same principle as it is tC
make cannon. Should this be the case
not only would troops have the benefit
Of seeing one another, as smokeles'
powder now permits them to do, bul
much of the confusion resulting from
the noise of conflict would be obViated
and battles, therefore, would become
much more orderly affairs than a
present.