The state herald., 1908-08-21

In spite of the critics who claim
that the motor car is too unreliable
to prove of service In case of actual
warfare. the experience of the French
in Morocco proves otherwise. And
why should not France. which is prob
ably the first country TO give the
machine a real test In actual cam.
paigning, be permitted TO answer the
question as to the utility of the motor
car in battle? During the recent Mo
roccan campaign. the army OF inVa'
sion had three quick.hring guns
which they had mounted upon an or
uinary 4O-horse power Panhard chas'
sis, and which the French used
against the Arabs.
Before the advent OF the Panhard
quick firing battery the Arabs with
their speedy horses were able to In
dict serious damage upon the French
and get away before their opponents
could retaliate. But the French went
the Arabs one better. and the much
vnunted steeds OF the Arabs could not
get out OF range OF the swift automo.
bile gun battery and its hail of deadly
bullets. So successful was the limo.
vntion that the battle OF Ainsfa was
practically won by the Panhard con
tingent and It's commander. Capt
Genty, wellknown Paris amateur
driver. who has been decorated with
the cross OF the Legion OF Honor for
distinguished services. Capt Genty
writes the commanding officer: This
particular chassis was OF standard
type. i0.horse power. with only nor.
NAL ground clearance. Its facility Of
maneuvering. therefore. must set at
rest forever the pessimistic tongues. "
More than score Of firmf OF au.
tomobile manufacturers responded
this year 10 the invitation OF the
French minister OF war and sent q
total OF 81 heavy automobile wagons
TO assist In the military maneuyers.
With these automobile wagons II was
found possible 10 reyictual the entire
army corps during the period Of the
maneuyers. Each day about fiye
o'clock In the afternoon n telegram
would indicate the points where pro
visions were required for the morrow
and the quantity that was needed. The
automobile wagons were then stocked
In readiness for the following morn.
ing. and at an early hour the wngonF
started. the train Of vehicles being
divided into as many sections as
there were points TO revictunl.
Frequently they had TO cover 40
kilometers. The provisions were al
ways distributed on time. except
once or twice In the early part OF the
manouyerB. when the number OF au.
tomobilc wagons was insufficient to
cope with the demand. Tho general
results are considered excellent.
Automobiles are also employed dur
Ing military maneuycra very cS'
tonHlyoly by the German army, but
mostly for stan purposes, They also
employ motorcycles. carrying DIS.
patches 10 such good purpose that Il
has been decided 10 form largo
corps Of these handy oonyoyances
Another notable result In this connce
tion iH tho decision OF the German
stan 10 construct system OF automo
bile roads connecting the western
provinces with other parts Of the
country In the interest Of national
defense.
That the automobile was being
seriously considered by United States
army officials IL evidenced by the fact
that Mai Gen, y u. Grant used two
touring cars In the army manouycrB
nj Pine Plains. near Watertown, y
Y. where over 10000 regulars and
militia were In camp.
According 10 report made by the
two army officers who were detailed
10 make observation Of the machines
and heir adaptabillty for war pur
poses. the tests proved unHatisfactofy |
The oficeru are Lieut. Col. ". Fl
Glenn Of the Twoniy.thlfd infantry. |
and Capt W. r. Johnson Of the m /
,eenth cavalry. "The mos, objection |
able feature" Col Glen said. "ia |
the unreliabiliiy Of the automobile |
yoa never know when II will be ready /