The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-25
LIKE NEW BAY0NET.
Army Omcers Pleased with Small
Rod Attached to New Army Rifles.

Army Onicers Pleased with Small
Rod Attached to New Army Rifles.
From the New York Globe.
Washington, Sept. 7.-Ordnance ex-
perts of the army as rule refuse to
lay much stress on the Importance Of
the bayonet, in spite of the accounts
of desperate hand to hand fighting in
the Far East. Many believe the time
has arrived for the abolition of the
bayonet. In adopting the new maya
zine rifle, which is attracting much at
tention just now. the government did
take a step in that direction.
The bayonet on the new weapon is in
some respects it's most interesting fea-
ture. 1t is not detached from the gun
as in the case of bayonets used on the
army rifle Of the United States up to
this time. 1t is simply rod of fine
steel about twenty inches long, and
about a quarter of an inch In diam
eter. 1t tapers near the end to a
rather blunt point 1t is carried as a
part Of the fun, and when not drawn
wood that surrounds the barrels of the
point even with the muzzle.
When necessary to use the bayonet
1t is drawn out about eight inches and
held from sliding either way by a
thumb catch. Whether in actual serv-
ice at close quarters it would prove eff
ficient against a foe armed with the
old knife bayonet Is q question. Ord
nance officers say that while the new
bayonet appears small IL is large
20 gsaA q nd
besides 1t has the merit of being cas-
lily drawn. The old knife bayonet on
the other hand is with difficulty ex-
tracted from any object II penetrates,
and is especially likely to get caught
and held In clothing.
In the opinion of the ordnance off,
GERS this simple rod bayonet will an
swer all needs in case Of close conn
bat. They say they believe the stories
from the Far East about bayonet work
are exaggerated, and that little bayo-
net work has bene done. in their opin-
ion, save when rendered necessary by
exhaustion of ammunition
II Is further pointed out that the
Workmanship of the American army
is so high that the likelihood Of Amer
lean troops permitting foe TO come
TO close quarters is much less than in
the case of foreign armies. One great
the troops viii not throw II away. In
the PHILIPPINES Il was found the troops.
In making their way through the jun
giles. considered the bayonet him
drance TO their movements, and con-
sequently thousands Of these weapons
were reported lost In action. In reality
they had been quietly thrown away
The old knife bayonet has been found
Of some value as an entrenching tool,
and an order 10 meet this need the
general stan Is now working on such
on "a implement. Those that hive been
evolved are not very satisfactory. II
seems 10 be Improbable 10 devise
such a tool 10 be carried by the soldier
at all times, and not tend 10 weight
him down too greatly The plan h
now 20 have an entrenchng tool that
when not In the region Of the enemy,
can be- carried IN wagons. but can be
close AZ hand
How best 10 carry ammunition is
en- other problem that has given much
trouble. N ~ belieYed a has been work.
- out HtiiffaCfOnly BY the dcvalnF OF
what On called - band0ilior. a simple
bells N stout cloth containing nlr
pockets. Zach pocket viii bold i've
cartridges. One Or more " tlfae can