Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-12-27

delays in providing arms for our new
armies has been sensational the opinion
among officials at Washington since
both sides have been heard 10 that the
United States troops eventually will
be equipped with the best rifies In
europe and very likely with the best
machine guns, sltho the delay in pro-
ducins the Browning gun and the fact
that II has not yet been demonstrated
uncertainty.
Incidentally the situation a It re-
lates to the Lewis gun Is peculiar, In
asmuch as the committee has heard
but one side OF that story and that
from the person most interested In the
weapon, Colonel Lewis, the inventor.
Colonel Lewis told wildly interest
ing story, but 1t was. nevertheless, an
emotional recital OF his efforts during
the last decade and more to have his
weapon adopted by the war depart
ment as the machine gun Of the United
States service. VerilcAtion Of this
fact-that his testimony was highly
personals obtained from a glimpse
At the official reporters transcript Of
the testimony he gave the COMMITTEES.
Moreover Senators called his atten-
ltion to the fact that he was permitting
his emotions to run away with him,
and that as result cold. hard facts
relative to the value of his gun as
compared to others might not easily
be adduced.
Now. as contracted to the statements
Of the inventor. manufacturers Of other
guns. principally Of the Colt gun, and
manufacturers Of rifles testified that
the Browning gun was superior. In
fact they made the nat statement that
the Browning gun 10 the best weapon
yet produced by any one. They point
ed to the fact that the Lewis gun will
not even be a. efficient weapon a.
should be had for the aircraft service.
One witness, who has an intimate
knowledge OF the ordnance depart
ments OF every leading power, told
the committee that the Lewis gun
could only be used efficiently in air.
planes carrying two men, because the
disc Of the gun will carry only forty
eight cartridges. As he said. It would
take all Of one mans time to reload
the gun every few minutes, while the
other would have to drive the craft.
Lewis gun in airplanes carrying two
men. and for that purpose large
number Of them have been ordered.
Taking II by and large. the commit
tee members sum up the situation
somewhat after this fashion: Tho
United States will have q rine-the
modified Enfield-which will fre bull
let's equal in destructiveness TO the
bullets received from the German
guns; bullets OF q power sufficient to
pierce the steel breastplates worn by
the kaiser's troops.
Drilling With Droer,stiel<s.
But there has been great delay in
getting this rife. and meanwhile
troops are learning to drAl with Spring
fields or broomsticks, whichever reach
cantonmsnfs first.
Again, We Will have the best ma
chine gun which inventive genius has
10 far produced. but meanwhile We
have none Of them With which to train
our msn. A. wa apparently pointed
out by q witness II the hearing, the
war department could have obtained
thousands q Colt machine guns or
Lewis guns q month after We declared
war, and even tho they would not
compare with the high powered eff
cheney Of the Browning gun they
would at least have performed the
principal business Of war; they would
kill.
II these types had been adopted,
members of the committee say, our
men In France today would not be
using French guns. This summing UP
shows. 1t is said, a process Of procras-
tination which, but for the kindness
of fate, might have proved fatal.
A German Gear for Russia.
The Roumanian newspaper. Djelo
Naroda, said there is growing axita.
ton in Petrograd for restoration Of the
monarchy.
Proclamations would be protested
Sunday. it was stated. urging that the
Grand Duke Alexien be made regent
and the Grand Duke Alexandrovitch
and Prince Leopold Of Bavaria, vice
regents.
No More Rifles for Russia.
Discontinuance Of the manufacture
Of rifles for Russia by the Westing-
house Electric q Manufacturing com