New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-28
AN ENGLIsHMAN's INVENTION MAY WORK
A REVOLUTION IN WARFARE

The discoveries OF new explosives follow fast on
each others heels and the number Of them in the
world markets is already wenigh ooundless. one
OF the best known and the one adopted by the
British Government is cordite In most OF the high
explosives nitro-glycerne enters largely into the
composition. which renders them dangerous 10
handle. This is also true Of the composition Of
cordite but in this explosive the danger is min
innized by 10 per admixture OF vaseline This
explosive has probably proved as effective as any
but It's enormous expense is a serious drawback.
The actual cost Of the explosive proper is the least
part OF the expense. which is principally from the
wear and tear of the guns from the erosion at
,ondant upon the use OF this and other high ex-
plosives This enormous and tear from ero-
sion and consequent great expense. hrst led John
Karstairs. an English scientist TO attempt the dis
covery OF a new agent wherein this erosion was
eliminated but without diminishing the force and
mower Of the explosive Mr. Karstairs thinks he
has succeeded IN his quest. and on May q last he
took out patents in this country TO protect hts dis
covery Similar patents have already been taken
out IN Russia Germany and England
Experiments have been made at the SANDY HOOK
proving grounds and IL IL said they nave oeen sue
cessful Mr. Karstairs is az present In Europe ana
Charles T. Nasmyth has charge OF the explosive In
this country during his absence. MT Nasmytn. In
speaking Of II yesterday said:
.The explosive has no particular name. being
simpv known at present 'Karstairss explosive,
and n ts beyond all doubt the most wonderful yet
discovered II has greater velocity and carrying
force than any known explosive. and consequently
IFS use would increase the range OF ordinary rifles.
I, calls for no particular style OF gun, and be
used in any weapon now known. IL can. In fact. be
used for any purpose which any other explosive Is
used save only the Il. aing OF coal II Is not sub
fected to chemical changes from heat or cold is
dynamite and under ordinary circumstances II IS
absolutely safe to handle. in filling shell has to
be ranmed full OF the explosive used. and this is
dangerous with many OF them, but not In the least
so with KaTstAirss explosive The saving In ex-
pense IL will effect will be enormous. After sixty
shots with the modern smokeless powder an ord-
nary gun no longer fires true and after 40 shots IL
becomes useless. This is due TO erosion The con-
structors require twenty shots in proving the
gun so that this number must be deducted from lts
actual use IN warfare. Mr.. Karstai-s's discovery
will largely do away with this erosion, and greatly
add to the life Of the II also has no wave OF
detonation. DO not know exactly how 10 describe
this IL Is a peculiar vibration Of the air caused py
an explosion. which is likely 10 set on other ef-
plosives even though they ale at distance Inns
Is true Of all explosives think. but ours mas tne
additional value OF being perfectly smokeiess
Among its principal characteristics are these:
II turns in the open air without explosion ano no
ordinary degree OF friction conclusion viii 81
plode il. II be detonatsd only oy po"eri"