New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-25
Analysis Shows Lack OF
Copper and Less Force
to Shrapnel Missiles.
WORK NOW RUSHED
ON NEW GAS BOMBS
Paris Expects Use of Asphyxl-
atlng Projectlles To Be
Feature of Campaign.
By c. IMAM BARNARD.

By L, INhAN DhHINhhb'
Paris Correspondent Of The Tribune.
Paris, April 24.-Technical exsmina-
lions made by an American expert OF
specimens OF German projectiles dis
charged into the French and BRITISH
lines during the iAss fortnight show
a great falling OF IN the quality OF
German projectiles as compared with
those expended by them three months
ago. This inferiority is especially
noted in the shrapnel, the driving
bands of which are now made OF
composition, instead of pure copper
These new bands do not drive the pro
jectile into the rifed grooves OF the
cannon with the same precision as
those made Of pure copper, and there
by the former accuracy OF hre Is I'M
paired. These bands OF alloy also
reduce the range OF the guns.
II is found that the new German
shrapnel il made not of the best chilled
steel as before, but Of cast iron. owing
70 this the exploded shell cases are
often found to have burst into large
fragments near the base OF the proJec-
tile, 80 that the shrapnel bullets in
tended for the second impulsion, in
stead Of being discharged in a solid jet,
like the spray Of powerful hose, and
reaching forward some 200 yards from
the point Of the explosion Of the shell
are scattered about almost uselessly,
doing no more harm than showers OF
spent balls.
In addition 10 this, the contents OF
the German shrapnel shells are fire.
quently found to consist not OF round.
solid leaden bullets, as hitherto, but OF
all kinds OF fragments OF metal, some
thing like old junk. In some instances
the shrapnel bullets have been replaced
by bits of flint, resembling children's
marbles. Now and then the German
artillery discharges shrapnel of the old
model, Of excellent construction, but
this is comparatively seldom. II IS also
noticed that cast iron or steel OF IN
ferior quality enters into the compost
ton OF the heavier German projectlles,
thus greatly reducing their effect.
These technical observations indl-
cate that the tremendous expenditure
of German ammunition. especially FOR
their artillery of every description. is
rles and encourage the doubt whether
the Germans a few weeks hence will
have those vast stores OF first class
ammunition that alone can enable them
70 oppose to future attacks those ar
tillery screens" that have become OF
vital necessity in the latest scientific
development of this war
On the other hand. Germans have
plenty of coal and are believed to be
manufacturing enormous supplies OF
asphyxiating gas bombs. such as they
used recently north of Ypres, in direct
violation Of the Hague international
conventions. The German coal sup
plies enable them to make practically
an unlimited supply of these bombs.
II is predicted by technical observers
here that the general use of these as
phyxiating bombs will shortly become
a startling feature of German artil-
lery operations on both the western
and eastern fronts.
II seems certain that the Germans
are running short not only Of copper
but Of lead. the latter OF which they
have obtained from Spain.