The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-10-20
New York SUM

If one we're hermitically sealed in
the archives of the War and Navy De-
partments, where are kept the crank
Inventions sent regularly to the mill
tary naval authorities, and had no ac-
cess to the newspapers, there would
be no difficulty in reaching many
strange inventions and projects AT
time when the Wrights were making
material progress with their flying ma
chimes there was a wealth of sugges-
tions regarding the use of the aerial
vehicle for the purpose of war. At the
asme time there were all kinds of
schemes for resisting the attack of the
aeroplane. These inventions in all
possible forms and repreenting all
grades Of intelligence, are received in
vest numbers by the War and Navy
Departments. Most of them find their
way to the Board of Ordnance and
Fortifications.
Most numerous of the recent inven-
tions which have been sent to the de-
relating to bomb-dropping devices,
largely in anticipation of that function
which may be allotted to aeroplanes
and dirigible balloons. These bombs
assume many Ingenious forms. Some
are loaded with a vapor which produc-
es sleep, so that an enemy may be
llulled to slumber and easily captured
without loss of life and the suffering
which comes from the explosion of
bombs of more destructive character.
One man suggested that the bomb be
lfilled with printed leaflets that should
make an appeal to an enemy, and so
instill spirit Of forgiveness and gen.
lerosity, and thus produce the senti-
ment of peace.
The same idea, the inventor explains
might be worked out to circulate l"
this fashion information regarding the
Irresistible strength of foe, and so
lstrike terror and create demoraliza.
ton on the part of those to whom the
information is impaired.
There are also incendiary projec.
tiles and bullets that, as the name and
title implies, produce confiagration
and are capable of creating havoc by
fire.
In the class Of devices that are de-
fensive rather than offensive there is
1.-The arrangement of huge mirrors set
'tup at such angles that the approaching
enemy does not see the opposing force
lbehind these mirrors, but gets the i'm
preston of terrain, which is merely
the reflection of that over which is
merely the reflection of that over
which they are travelling. Then there
are the electrical devices which betray
the approach of an enemy such as
threads stretched across the country
which on fracture communicate with
signals or sound alarms indicating the
location of troops. There are hidden
platforms which can be SO nicely ad-
i in sted that there will be an indication
at headquarters of the strength OF the
enemy and its character, whether in
fantry, cavalry or artillery.
One invention has to do with what
is described in the files as composite
armor," which may be of alternate
thicknesses, or, as in one case, be
mounted on powerful springs, afford
ing no adequate backing for the at
tacking shell to penetrate. The pro-
iectile. it is represented, under such
nonresisting target, will bounce back,
aolthough it is not represented that
the recoil will be of sufficient duration
as to return and destroy those who are
making the attack. Another defensive
project contemplates the use of huge
wire netting, which shall be suspended
over coast forts in such a way as to
arrest the progress of projectiles. This
suggests the torpedo net which the
J British warships use when at anchor
in order to repel the attack of tor
J pedoes.
: One of the ingenious methods OF de-
struction allied to the incendiary pro-
JectIle WQulu empioy 'hS Sun 10y % -
concentrated form so as to produce a
fire. This is depicted by the inventor
as an effective means Of blowing up
magazines. 1t is suggested that a
huge sun glass shall be so mounted
! that it will direct in powerful form
! the suns rays on the object OF at.
, tack. In this as in many other cases,
J the details are lacking, the inventor
: contenting himself with the prescrip-
} ton that the mechanism shall be of
Equitable size." 1t is the habit of most
of those from whom these suggestions
come that the troublesome minutae
! are left to others.
Not all of the suggestions which are
! derived from unmilitary sources are
s valueless. Now and then there is OBJ
tanned an idea which can be developed