Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-11
GUNPowDER AS A cIvIL1zER.

The trouble that England, q world
power. is having in crushing the two
small Bocr republics OF South Africa
VIII not fail to be suggestive to those
VINO have followed the development of
the art and science Of war
1t is pretty clear that If we still had
the day Of the battle axe and battering
ram with us. the war by this would be
over and Presidents Kruger and Steyn
would be keeping the redoubtable Cron-
1e company at st. Helena. The English
would have smashed the Beers by mere
brute force, If the issue had rested on
n hand to hand contest; for one man is
not a match for five in that kind of
warfare where there is little difference
IN the courage of the one and the five
But the Mauser has put n different
face on the situation. The man behind
1t does not have to contend hand to
hand with his five enemies. Flo gets on
the lee side of n rock and shoots at the
five. at his leisure. and experience in
the Boer war has shown that where he
KNOWS how TO shoot. the chances are
all that he will be able to drop one or
two of his enemies before they can
reach him. If they charge up in front,
as they are frequently compelled to do.
AS actual tests have shown no army,
however brave. will stand that sort of
slaughter. The advantage is all with the
army that is acting on the defensive,
and 1t is so enormous that small body
of courageous men, firing from a con-
ccaled position can hold a vastly larger
body of men at bay. through effective
ness of modern arms Thus 1000 Beers
according to Hon. Webster Davis. kept
General White from marching out of
Butler, and Butler from marching in
with $4,000 to join White.
The tendency of the ever increasing
efficiency of modern weapons of war
fare is to minimize the advantage OF
mere prepondcrance of numbers. There
does not appear to have been such n
material increase in the mere destruc
tiveness of war as was expected and
predicted from the use of long range
arms and high explosives. But this is
due to the mere fact that the combat
or intervals. 1t IS possible to charge and
take trenches still. but 1t does not pay.
and strategy has to he employed in
stead. The nature of warfare has
changed and the change is to the adj
vantage of right. rather than might.
The end of war. If we may judge from
the struggle in South Africa, Is likely |
to come, not so much through mans
adherence of human slaugh-
ter, Though that will play a parD as
through the great disadvantage at
which modern arms place the attacking |
nation. War is becoming too costly. and |
tho issue too uncertain. Large nations |
can no longer afford to attack small |
nations. if the latter arc prepared for |
resistance. The chances are all that |
England will have lost more men be-
fore Roberts reaches Pretoria than
there are Beers in the ranks.
An enlightened public sentiment holds |
war in increasing detestation; that will
modern gun is the strongest anti-war |
argument. Mans inventive genius has
outrun his humanitarian sentiments In !
development. Mechanical, not ethical. |
progress is the great pacific factor of
present day civilization. though both |
contribute to the same end. If peace |
had to wait on the elimination of mans |
desire to fight, of his love of martial |
glory, OF his selfish desire to take adj |
vantage of his neighbour, it would wait
Icing But the modern weapon. in an
cnemys hand. appeals powerfully to |
that same sclnshness. and throws its |
weight in the scale for peace.
When some wizard of inventive gent
us has given us n contrivance with |
which one man. concealed on n Kopjc, |
can annihiiate companies regiments.
brigadcs. and whole armies. we shall
see the finish of war. Gunpowder, cleo |
tricity, or some other destructive mat
ter will then he the real ally of Gospel |
the Gospel OF peace. if not of good WILL |
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