The evening times., 1899-11-21
A SBARCHLIGH9 FOR Otis
General Greely Ships a New Ap-
paratus to Luzon.
A Device That Ii Expected to Revo-
lutfOnixe Methods of Signaling at
Nfght-Useful I'm Many ssays-Its
Operation to BE Watched with
Interest by the Military Experts.


General Greedy, Chief Signal Officer of
the army, shipped yesterday to Manila on
the transport Logan. a portable field signal
and searchlight. This apparatus is expect
ed by the Signal Corps officers to be of
great service in many ways in the Philip
pines, and to almost revolutionize the
method of signaling at night.
1t is the FIRST apparatus of its kind ever
used in this country. and the results of its
work in the Philippines will be watched
with great interest. Similar machines
have been employed by armies in Europe
with good results. and General Greely be-
lieves the practical tests of the machine
with the army i'll Luzon will prove highly
important.
The apparatus Consists Of two vehicles,
on one of which is mounted dynamos, and
all the necessary machinery for generating
an electrical current Of high voltage,
which can be used in either flashing sig
nails or as a searchlight in locating the
position of the enemy at night. The other
vehicle carries a portable engine to be used
in furnishing power for the electrical ma
chinery.
Both vehicles have been constructed ac-
office. and they are in every way similar
to the regular army wagons. SO that in
case Of an accident to any of the parts OF
the machinery the damage can be supplied
from the regular army wagons. The vehi-
cles with their apparatus weigh about $500
pounds each and, with their broad tires,
can be hauled over any roads that are fit
for army wagons. The apparatus is also
so constructed in such a way that it can
ho dasa nd frNvr ha ;ala
on railroad fiat cars, and used in front of
trains proceeding into the enemy's coun-
try, or can be placed on boats not supplied
with searchlights.
Il believe the apparatus will prove of
great assistance in conducting the cam
paign in the Philippines said General
Greedy today. Not only can il be used for
signaling purposes. but, in case the occa-
sion requires, trenches can be dug during
the night with the enemy close at hand as
the light can be used 10 protect the men
who are working by dazzling the enemy
and making It impossible for them to locate
accurately the forces at work 1t will also
prove invaluable in searching the battle
field at night for killed and wounded. as
the powerful light will bring out the small
est objects and make it possible for the
hospital men TO find wounded soldiers who
might otherwise be overlooked and die
from their injuries If found within few
hours after battle many men can be
saved by proper surgical attention.
Major James Allen, of the Signal Corps
sailed from San Francisco yesterday for
the Philippines to inspect the work Of the
Signal Corps in the Island. He will assist
in putting the new signal apparatus IL
working order and report the results of the
work accomplished by the apparatus to
General Greely.
In recent report General Greely COM
mented on the new apparatus as follows:
The design and construction OF porta-
BILE field electrical signal light for Signal
Corps operations has been the subject of
careful consideration by the Signal Corps.
Such type of light has been constructed
and tested end will shortly be shipped to
Manila for use in the field. In addition 10
its primary use as signal light, il also
admirably serves the purpose of a search-
light. This combination ensures efficiency
of action and economy OF power and trans
portation. desirable qualities in active cam
paigning. Similar types OF light are used
in the continental armies and it is believed
that the light developed will be equal If
not superior. to any light OF this character
in the world. In addition TO being able 10
use II as an ordinary signal electric light
II can easily be mounted at any point and
used for searching battieiields for dead and
wounded or as a screen for intrenchine
operations at night. and can also be tenn
porarily and quickly mounted on ordinary
railroad fiat cars 10 pilot troop trains. etc
The whole apparatus is light and very port
able. and is mounted on bur two carriages