The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 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-firing guns
which they had mounted upon an Or
binary 40-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
f1ict serious damage upon the French
and get away before their opponents
could retaliate. But the French went
the Arabs one better, and the much
Wanted steeds Of the Arabs could not
get out of range of the swift automo-
bile gun battery and it's hail of deadly
bullets. So successful was the inno-
walton that the battle of Ainsfa was
practically won by the Panhard con-
tinsAnt and its commander, capt.
Gently, well-known Paris amateur
driver, who has been decorated with
the cross of the Legion of Honor for
distinguished services. Capt. Gently
writes the commanding officer: This
particular chassis was of standard
type, 40-horse power, with only nor
NAL ground clearance. Its facility of
maneuvering, therefore, must SET at
rest forever the pessimistic tongues"
Morethan a score - firms of au-
tomobile manufacturers responded
this year to the invitation of the
French minister of war and sent
total of "a heavy automobile wagons
to assist in the military maneuvers.
With these automobile wagons it was
found possible to revictual the entire
army corps during the period of the
maneuvers. Each day about five
o'clock in the afternoon a 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 wagons
started, the train of vehicles being
1AA inf @
there were points to revictual.
Frequently they had to cover 14O
kilometers. The provisions were al
ways distributed on time, except
once or twice in the early part of the
maneuvers, when the number of au-
tomobile wagons was insufficient to
cope with the demand. The general
results are considered excellent.
Automobiles are also employed dur.
ing military maneuvers very ex-
tensively by the German army, but
mostly for staff purposes, They also
employ motorcycles. carrying dis
patches to such good purpose that it
has been decided to form a large
corps of these handy conveyances.
Another notable result in this connec-
ton is the decision of the German
staff to construct a 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 is evidenced by the fact
that Maj Gen. F. d. Grant used two
touring cars in the army maneuvers
at Pine Plains, near Watertown, N,
Y, where over 10000 regulars and
militia were in camp.
According to a report made by the
two army officers who were detailed
to make observation of the machines
and heir adaptability Sor war pur-
poses, the tests proved unsatisfactory.
The officers are Lieut.. Col. Z. F. !
Ulenn of the Twenty-third infantry, |
and Capt w. T. Johnson Of the Fiji. !
teenth cavalry. THE most objections |
able feature" Col Glen said, 'is
the unreliability of the automobile
You never know when 1t will be ready