The morning news., 1899-11-25

Trade regulations have compelled the en-
gine to be in the wrong place; that is,
in front instead of behind, or pulling in
stead of pushing. II should be added that
to give the train every opportunity of
proving its mettle the South Essex Rail
way Company then diverted all traffic from
the stretch of line over which it was ma
neuvering. The train is always preceded
by a screen of cavalry scouts, who signal
back If the line be clear, and until it is
brought into action every advantage is
taken of the concealment which cuttings
afford.
Used in the Philippines.
Armored trains mounting field pieces and
machine guns are being extensively uti-
lized by the American troops engaged in
the conquest of the Fllipinos and it will
be remembered that the successful issue of
the fight at Calumpit was attributed to the
opportune arrival of just such flying bat
terry.
The main objection raised against the
practicability of armored trains is the sus-
gestion that the enemy, with a few men
carrying small parcels of dynamite, could
easily destroy the permanent way. Doubt
less they could do so If the defender S
cavalry stood idle while they advanced for
this purpose, hence it must be a sine qua
non that armored trains are always ac-
companied by a strong force of cavalry.
Again, to guard against the compulsory
abandonment of the guns if the train is
derailed Capt. Fishers precautlon of in
Guiding q crane in The equipment should
be followed. We note that in the accounts
of the hastily constructed British and Boer
armored trains machine guns or only very
light pieces are given as the armaments.
Trucks carrying these should certainly
have the gun detachments protected by
bullet-proof mantlets, but any very high
plating, with the idea of keeping out shells,
is a mistake. This, indeed, is the weak
point in the Sussex gun truck, for the
erection really only offers good target
and an ideal bursting screen.
For guerrilla warfare, especially in the
defensive preparations against raids, ar
mored trains carrying machine guns only
should certainly prove the most useful va,
riety, but when an advance on a large
scale becomes possible the feasibility OF
the troops being accompanied by more
elaborately constructed rolling stock
mounting heavier weapons is worthy OF
consideration. The 47-inch quick-firing
gun, and even guns of some considerable
power, such as the 6-inch breech-loader
would be an interesting experiment. Oh
lection may be taken to their weight but
this is a mistake. Artillery experts are
of the opinion that the gun truck on the
Sussex train would safely carry the Az
inch gun were the vehicle counterweighted
with from five to ten tons of metal, while
for heavier ordnance larger trucks mount
ed upon bogies could be provided. When
in action the pins of these bogies could
be securely bolted, curbing their lateral
play, additional clips constructed to catch
the sleepers and the strain further dis,
tributed by rigidly connecting the various
trucks and carriages forming the armored
train. In South Africa, of course, the
narrow gauge of the railroads will neces-
state great attention being paid to the
questions of equilibrium and stability
while the probable methods of warfare
to be encountered must insure the mos,
watchful precautions against mines anG
ambusfes.