Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1913-03-16
A Modern Thrce-Inch Field Gun In Action.

! thousand Of combined infantry and
cavalry.
Everything else being equal the army
with four guns per thousand is bound
to trlumph. In England the reguIa-
tions call for approximately six guns
per thousand; In Germany 400, in
France 40, and in the United States
3.1G. Not only do our regulations call
for fewer guns than any Of these other
nations but we have actually failed to
supply our forces, now organized ac-
cording to our own regulations by 81
per cent.
The war strength Of our regular in,
Cantry and cavalry combined is G5,l15,
ana that Of our organized militia for
the same branches $1,000 Total war
strength of infantry ana cavalry Of
both regular army and militia is 29!, lis
men. Accordingly, to protect and sup
port this army with the necessary field
artillery we must supply them at the
rate Of 3.16 guns per thousand men, and
we must also provide extra guns 20 the
number of 81 to he included in the field
ammunition trains These extra guns
are to be used in replacing those put
out of action. We need 900 guns for the
existing regular and militia mobile
army at war strength. The number Of
guns Of approved types now on hand Is
G32, or about G6 per cent of the quan.
tity actually needed at once.
The above figures are startling
enough, but when we take into consid-
Grafton that in the event of actual
hostlities with a first-class power ii
would be absolutely necessary to rush
into The field large force, and at the
same time call for from 100000 to 200-
900 volunteers, our position rs regards
artillery is clearly shown. Field guns,
carriages, caissons, and limbers cannot
be thrown together over night. 1t is
estimated that the WateYliet Arsenal
at Watervlet, y. Y, can turn ont $50
guns in year, running twenty-four
hours n day. 1t Is also estimated that
the Rock Island Arsenal at Rock ISL
and, H., can turn out carriages, cais-
sons, and limbers at the rate Of nine |
teen batteries n year. running twenty |
four hours a day. This would provide |
enough carriages, &C., for seventy-six |
guns, there being four guns to n bat |
terry. Inasmuch as field guns are |
without running gear, am |
munition chests, and the various other |
accessories supplied by the Rock Island |
product of complete guns, carriages,
limbers, and caissons would be seventy |
six Outside of the arsenals there are !
two or three private manufacturers
qualified to produce gun carriages,
caissons, and limbers but 1t is prob !
able that some months would clapse |
before they could get together the nee
essary materials with which to even
start work.
In the event of such trouble as would
require an army of 100000, plus volun-
teers to the extent of 100000 or 100000,
the field guns needed to properly pro
tect and support this force, with a
small percentage in reserve, would be
,292. OF this number we still have
but 632, and at the rate these can be
with our present faclli-
ties It will be easily seen that num-
Der Of years would be consumed to ac-
luirlng a proper supply.
In compiling these data, reference to
models other than the latest approved
3-inch field gun has purposely been
omitted. Among the omitted types are
the 3.inch mountain howiiyer 2.S-inch
field howitzer, .4.7-inch field howtzer,
4.7-inch field gun, and the 6-inch field
howltzer. If we were to attempt to
bring our artillery up TO the 1,2o2-gun
mark, each of these types would be IN
clrsvi IN PROPORTION, and the rapidity
Of manufacture would be lessened ma
terially. !