The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-11
HIRAM MAXIM'S VIEWS.
Says American Naval Workmanship
Is Truly Amazing.

New York, Aug. u.-Hiram Maxim, the
inventor of the first rapid fire gun, ar
rived on the Cunard liner Etruria yester-
day with his wife for two months stay
in the land of his birth and early life. He
will leave in a few days for Wayne, Me,
to visit his aged mother. 1t is the first
time in seventeen years that the inventor
has had this opportunity.
Just before the declaration of war Mr..
Maxim was in Paris. In the eyes of the
Parisians the Americans had only
slight chance of defeating the Spaniards.
when I attempted to differ with Them
Mr.. Maxim said, they seemed to pity my
ignorance. Ihey tried to snow me that
the Spanish fleet was immensely superior
to ours; that they had fast cruisers,
whereas We naq only one or Two: 1hey
said we had had no experience in fighting,
and that we would soon find the Spaniards
bombarding New York and Boston and
leading US merry chase along the coast.
In England people thought Spain would
give US a great zeal OF trouble ana tnat
the war would last about year, but they
all SAID d, we would conquer in the end enc
i'm went on, "a good many BritOnS thought
the Americans had no cause FOR lighting.
It was the Impression the Maine was
blown up accidentally. When 1 saw the
report of the commission of inquiry was
convinced it was an outside explosion, and
l wrote articles under the signature of
Expert on F5XDIosives, TheV a6Deared in
the London Times, the Pail Mall Gazette,
the Paris Herald and several engineering
papers l asserted that the destruction of
the vessel could be satisfactorily explain
explosion. My articles called out many
editorials, and, I think, were largely in
huential in changing English opinion to
my own way of thinking"
There was a minute of thoughtful ST.
lence before Mr.. Maxim replied when ask
ed what he considered the chief lessons of
the war as concerns the personnel of the
navy.
1T has taught u.s." he finally said, that
cruiser has no business with battle
ship. That is the opinion in England.
The war has also demonstrated that tor
pedoes and torpedo boats are not as eff
receive as was expected by many
1T has demonstrated that the best fight
ing arm is the gun of extremely high
pOwer-a gun which the prOjectile leaves
at a high rate of speed so that its traject-
DRY is fiat. We must use guns of higher
almost everything depends upon the man
behind the gun A man who can shoot
straight is worth his weight in gold.
don't think hereafter will have any
fads in naval construction. We don't want
another Vesuvius or katahdin. We will
stick to the regular models. There is also
strong FEELING at present against the use
of high explosives in any quantity aboard
ship.
american gunnery has been so effect
I've that 1t has caused great cOmmOtiOn
IN England. They are asking if the Eng
similar conditions. 1t is admitted that
the accuracy of our fire was amazing
Regarding the results of the war, Mr..
Maxim said the official English classes,
with whom his business had frequently
brought him in contact, are deeply inter
ested.
They think it is great shame" he
said, for us to give up an inch of what
we have won. They think we should keep
the Philippines at any cost"