The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-27

derstand clearly what is required from the
bullet and the nature of the modifica tons
which alaye been introduced. When small
bore magazine rifles were adopted IL was
found necessary that the little bullets
should be fired with great velocity through
a sharp spiral of rhing. in order that
| range and accuracy might be attained,
Lead would not stand the wear so that q
jacket or envelope of harder metal had to
be used. This covered the core, took the
rifling, and preserved the shape Of the bull
let.
AS originally made, the Jacket was
strongest at the point and weakest at the
rear where, indeed, a small part of the
core was exposed; but though penetration
was thus increased, experience in the field
quickly showed that the shock necessary
10 stop an enemy was absent or uncer-
tain. And here 1t may be well to say
what is required from bullet L must
have the necessary range. accuracy of
flight and its path or trajectory must be
as fat as possible; with these must be
combined sufficient shock on striking to
stop an enemy's charge, whether of horse
or foot 1t it plain that failure in this
respect means the destruction of our SOL
diers and that to sacrifice efficiency in the
bullet at the instgation of other nations.
however well meaning, is deliberately to
sacrifice our soldiers lives and The cause
for which they may be fighting, We came
near to this with the original bullet:
charges, in spite of close fire, were made
good: our foes. quick TO perceive the diff
ference, selected European regiments arm
ed with the Iee-Metford for attack. rather
than face native infantry with Martins;
and. as a consequence, the European lost
confidence in his weapon-a state OF af-
fairs so dangerous that immediate remedy
had 20 be sought. otherwise our rifle, ike
/ in, A
earned the name of the gun that does
not Kill"
After considerable experiment and the
exercise of care to keep within rules, the
service bullet was modified by Capt. Ber-
Ue-Clay r. A, superintendent OF The
Dum-Dum ammunition factory with H.
suits reported in the Times of Dec lG
1896, as satisfactory, Judgment amply
confirmed by subsequent experience. Brief
ly, the main alteration is in the Jacket
which in the Dum-Dum bullet tapers from
the base, where II Is thickest, TO the point
where It vanshes. leaving a small part
OF the apex of the core uncovered. thus re-
versiug the arrangement Of the old bullet
Testimony as to its accuracy at long range
Is conflicting. for in India the authorities
seem satisfied while in England, they are
not but in other respects the bullet s
sufficient, though less destructive than the
Snider, and, being an honest solid article
is not one to be lightly abandoned. The
English modification of the original bullet
(Which It has superceded) consists main;v
in a small recess In the point less than
half an inch deep. This bullet compar-
cd favoraby with the old one in accuracy
and surpassed it considerably in stopninr
power; IL was used at Omdurman. where
It proved TO be efficient but its power Ia
stop a determined charge Of men or horse
at close range-say, within 300 yards-xas
not tested IN that battle, and is probably
inferior 70 that OF the Dum-Dum.
And that power may be Of supreme i'm
portance IN determining the issue 90
fight. hence without further trial ~
question whethed il or the ,4umdum i
the better general pattern cannot he satS
TO have been satisfactorily settled 7,
would be wen that this should be decided
and that but one pattern Of bullet ebouId
be used, whether 10 Europe or elsewhero
The idea that we are justified in usi,o
more severe type OF bullet in savare
than in civilized war. though very 90,
crazy admitted does not seem onito
sound, and, Indeed If our bullets are sur