New-York tribune., 1900-05-09
A WONDERFUL NEW SHELL
NO ARMOR IN THE WORLD ABLE TO
WITHSTAND IT.
FACTS CONCERNING THE INVENTION OF
AN AMERICAN NAVAL OFFICER LAID
BEFORE THE SENATE IN
SECRET SESSION

Washington, May s-Some facts almost start
ling in their Importance were laid before the
Senate to-day in secret legislative session at
the close of the regular open session. They re-
lated. it Is understood. to the invention by a
prominent officer of the United States Navy OF a
shell superior in every essential quality to any
now in use by this or any other Government.
The quality Of penetration possessed by the
shell is said 10 be so great that armor
manufactured in the United States or abroad
has sufficient resistance TO withstand it
The facts. which We're in possession of only a
few Senators. We're deemed so important that
the Senate decided 10 consider them in secret
session.
After the Naval bill had been laid aside for the
day Mr. Tillman asked for a secret session In
order that he might explain TO the Senate why
he desired the arnor plate matter TO be dis
cussed in secret. When the doors were closed he
explained that several days ago he had offered
a resolution calling the Secretary of the
Navy 10 send TO the Senate for it's information
the details of tests made by the Departments
officials of arnnor plate at Indian Head No
answer TO that inquiry has been received. and in
all probability none will be.
1t seems that Mr.. TiIlman called at the Navy
Department and informed that it would be
unwise at this time to make public the details of
the tests ne had asked for. it would place II
the hands not only of the Senate but of repre-
sentatives of foreign Governments information
that properly belonged exclusively TO the United
States. He was informed that Admiral O'Neil.
Chief Of the Bureau of Ordnance. had been for
several months conducting a series of armer
tests at Indian Head the results of which were
remarkable.
A prominent official of the Navy Department
said, IL IS understood, that the tests of all sorts
of armor, including the Krupp armor had been
made, with a view of asCertaining their effect
iveneSS against shell that had been in
vented by officer of the Navy. No piece Of
armOr submitted to the test, il is asserted
able TO withstand it. The she'll. fired from high
power guns. penetrated the almost
bullets fired from a krag -JOrgenSen rifle would
pentrate green wood the difference being that
1t is said that this true of the krupp
NOR, as we'll of the other armOr tested.
The she'll which so effective not de-
scribed; and, indeed. the Navy Department Is
guarding jealousy all details concerning its con-
struCtion.
The argument of Mr. TiIlman is that with
such prOjeCtile in the possession of the Gov
ernment, the details of which sooner later will
become known to other Governments. it would
not be the part OF wisdom for Congress to enter
into contracts TO purchase the high priced armOr
unless il could be SO improved 10 resist
projectiles Of the kind used Indian Head
Feeling that more less of the matter
cerning the tests recently made by the Govern
ment would be used in the debate the armor
he desirable to consider the subject in secret
The Senate agreed with him, and tomorrow the
arrnor plate matter Will be discussed behind
closed doors.