The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-09-08

The Scientific American OF Septem
Der 5 h. devoted entirely 20 the die
cussion of the European war and the
various scientific and important ques
tons that arise from IL. The follow
ing Interesting and timely exposition
of the important points is taken from
the American:
Germans Strong Strategic Position
The seemingly overwhelming nun
bers Of the Triple Entente are greatly
OFFSET by the fact that Germany holds
an unusually strong strategic position
both on sea and land. and that where
as her armies are OF common race
speaking a common language. the
enemy is composed OF three races
speaking no language in common. and
differing widely In tastes. temperament
and traditions.
or enormous advantage to Germany
is She fact that the geography of the
naval and military situation IL such
that she IL planted squarely between
her major enemies. France and Rus
STA and 80 long ~ she L. supreme I'm
the Baltic IL is impossible for those
countries 10 eject a Joint concentra-
tlou Of their troops IN overwhelming
numbers upon either frontier
In the event Of German reverses
and q failure Of her invasion Of France
she would fall back upon her line OF
trontier fortifications. take up strong
defensive position and hurl the bull.
OF her armies against the enrolling
tide Of Russian invasion. which a. the
present writing appears 20 have
gained p victory Of imposing proper
tions n this should be the course a
events. the Germans would settle
down 20 war 81 defense which
might last for two or three years and
end boo the contestants hrhting each
other Go the point Of utter exhaustion
There is no reason 90 believe thar
The German 81 the twentieth century
has lost any Of the powers Of recupera-
tion and doggod resistance which ear.
ried him through the seven years Of
~ar under the great Frederick
Monster Siege Guns.
With tho possibility that Paris will
% placed in state Of siege the char.
actor of the guns that will be- used
against The city by the invaders is a
matter 81 more than usual interest.
There r. yet another field Of use
Tor field artillery In Germany and
france there are n number % cities
which are protected by extensive for.
tihcations in addition. temporary Cor.
tthCauons viii BE- thrown up by each
side Tor the purpose Of protecting I'm.
portant strategic places To destroy
these fortinCations and drive the
troops out. the siege artillery ia
brought into action. The guns for this
purpose are brought up on wheels. o.
BOZ the case Of the smaller calibors.
but ere placed In more or less pcrma.
rent positions for action.
There is no standard proportion of
Number ~ these batteries used in the
various armies The weights Of the
proicctiies and velocitles are more or
less The same for AL and Tor Germany
end France are about the following
1G.inch caibcr. firms a profectile
Weighing $50 pounds with LOO feet
pcr second velocity
45inch with $50 pound proicctnc
and 1000 feet per second velocity
1o2inch, with q zoo pound proiectile
and 1000 feet per second velocity
The Infantry Decides the Battle.
While o. ls probable the success 81
q battle VIII depend 90 large extent
on the support OF the field artillery. 10