Evening star., 1899-09-30
WAR AtMASSACRE.



Effect of the DKscovery of New and
observation-disclosures
From the New York Tribune.
The discoveries OF new explosives follow
fast on each others: heels. and the number
Of them in the worlds markets is already
well-nigh boundless. One of the best
known and the qns1 adopted by the British
government is cordIteg In most of the high
explosives nitroglychrine enters largely into
the composition, which renders them dan
gerous to handle. This is also true of the
composition Of corajte, but in this explo-
sive the danger is.cn1inimized by 10 per
cent admixture of ivaseline. This explosive
has probably proved as effective as any,
but its enormous extense Is serious draw
back. The actual cost of the explosive
which Is principally from the wear and tear
Of the guns from the erosion attendant
upon the use Of this and other high explo-
sives. This enormous wear and tear from
erosion. and consequent great expense. first
led John karstairs. an English scientist, to
attempt the discovery of new agent
wherein this erosion was eliminated. but
without diminishing the force and power of
the explosive. Mr.. Karstairs thinks he has
succeeded In his quest. and on May 23 last
he took out patents in this country to pro-
tect his discovery Similar patents have
already been taken out in Russia, Germany
and England.
Experiments have been made at the
Sandy Hook proving grounds, and it is said
they have been successful. Mr.. Karstairs
is at present in Europe. and Charles T..
Nasmyth has charge of the explosive in
this country during his absence. Mr. Mas
myth. in speaking of it, said;
THE explosive has no particular name,
being simply known at present as .Kar-
stairs explosive and it is beyond all doubt
the most wonderful yet discovered. 1t has
a greater velocity and carrying force than
any known explosive. and consequently its
use would increase, the range of ordinary
rifles. 1t calls for no particular style of
gun, and can be used in any weapon now
known. 1t can. in fact, be used for any
purpose for which any other explosive is
used save only the mining of coal. 1t is
not subjected to chemical changes from
the heat or cold. lis dynamite. and under
ordinary circumstances it Is absolutely safe
to handle. In filing shell has to be ram
med full of the explosive used, and this is
dangerous with many of them but not the
least so with 'karstairs' explosive
THE saving in expense it will effect will
be enormous. After sixty shots with the
modern SmokeleSS powder an ordinary gun
becomes useless. This is due to erosion.
The constructors require some twenty
shots in proving the gun, so that this num-
ber must be deducted from it's actual use
in warfare. Mr. Karstairs' discovery will
largely do away with this erosion and
greatly add to the life of the gun. 1t also
mas no wave OF detonation. / do not know
exactly how to describe this; it is a pecu-
liar vibration Of the air caused by an ex-
plosion. which Is likely to set off other ex-
plosives. even though they are at dis
tance. This Is true of all explosives, l
think. but ours has the additional value of
being perfectly smokeless powder
Among its principal characteristics are
these: 1t burns in the open air without ex-
plosion. and no ordinary degree of friction
or conclusion will explode it. 1t can be de-
tonated only by powerful detonator in an
inclosed place: it's temperature of explosion
is about one-half that of cordite and hence
erosion In gun barrels Is practically elimi-
mated by its use. Millions of dollars have
already been spent on it on the other side
In letter just received from Mr.. Karstairs
he speaks of someTexperiments he has been
carrying on for the Austrian government
as follows: u s.
remained oman island in the Adriatic
more than six weeks The trials consisted
In firing shells filed with my explosive
against steel embrasures and in dropping
900 weights at a time: from a captive bal
loon. The results were such that even with
all my past experience / was myself aston
ished. One high official made the remark
This sort Of thing Twill turn war into
simple massacre"