The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-02-20
THE NosxELrss GUN.

b.
 pr. W. T. Hornaday. we are told. Is feeling some apprshensions over Mr. Maxin's Invention of the noiseiess gun. He is naturaiist and seems, to fear that the wild birds and beasts will all be externinated when any hunter or poacher can kill whatever he likes without any noise to disclose his work or his whereabouts. He also appre- hends that murder and assassination will largely increase through the use of this noiseless weapon. "Rent al room, opposite the habitat Of the man you hate" he says, "and by the aid of Mir Maxim's genius you can pot him at your leisure without the inconven- fence of detection"
 Those are disturbing forebodings but as The New York Globe argues, Applications of arguments change. but arguments never. When gun pow der was introduced into the western world black letter aiarmists pointed out that life would be perilious indeed when the vicious could slaughter with out risk of a counterssword thrust. When .Frenchmen q hiindred years or more ago began expssifhssss with bal icons the humorous Of Great Britain shivered at the thought of the chan. mel no longer being a barrier, and bill was. introduced into Parliament prohibiting balloon experiments, and authorizing the discharge of cannon at any air visitor from abroad. When the art of compromising poisons be- came generally known in Paris sthe court was in terror and the poison makers were. prescribed as foes of the human species. Opposition has been made tosthe wireless telegraph on. the ground that It's messages would inform enemtessn
 ~s While it is true that predictions of i'll omen. as The Globe points out, have not always come true, we think there is some ground for Mir. Hornaday's ap- prehensions, both as to destruction of game and the taking of human life. Those who have a. desire to violate game. laws and to kill birds ani wild animals. pniawfully, will certainly be more apt to do scsif they can shoot without noise or otherwise giving notice of their deeds. So, too. one who is a murderer at heart would be much more likely to commit murder if he could do so in absolute silence, and thus be practically assured of safety from de- teetion. We cannot doubt that fear of apprehension and punishment has held back many a would-be assassin from carrying out his murderous in tentions. Secrecy is one of the strong est eesets of murderer and to be able to shoot. "a man dead. without sound may be the means of increasing crime.
 Will not this invention tend to make war more unpopular? The noise. the smoke, the roar of battle does much to inspire the soldier and make him less cautious and more fearless. It dulls his natural dread of danger and inspires him with @ sort of enthusiasm for killing his enemies and causes him to forget or disregard his own danger.
 wilr :t not be different with noise- less sunsf To stand up and face a silent death: to see his ,comraGes fall ing all about him and hear no sound; to know that at any moment he may be struck down with no knowledge whence the fatal missive comes: all this. in our Judgment. win shake the nerve and weaken the courage of the bravest soldier. It will build up and strengthen mans repugnance to war ana create . feeling of opposition to | that mode of settling national dis putes. If the Maxim invention shali have this effect and help to build up sentiment looking to the abolition of war among civilized nations q great good to humanity will have been accomplished ana the name of Maxim be honored by all future generations.