Evening journal., 1918-04-06
j. S. 6',-N.ILEE Gun Gun
STROIG IN MOBILITY
New Weapon Being Built
Near Philadelphia Sur.
passes Germans
MAY TURN THE
TIDE OF BATTLE


miles. a tremendous advantage 10 mo-
bllity and the use OF a prolectlle Of
greater diameter and weight than that
Of the German super-gun which has
been bombarding Paris, the giant long
ange cannon now under construction
somewhere in Philadelphia" is called
greater military asset than the Blown-
ing machine gun.
It's points Of superiority have con-
vinced military experts that the new
weapon, once IN use, will stop the long
tange Hun bombar1menis Of cites and
hamlets in France.
How Germany fears this new weapon
was shown when II was announced that
German agents already have attempted
10 lea. n OF the secrets involved in
Us manufacture and have failed
only one man may talk officially
about the gun. He Is Samuel NJ Vau-
CLAIM. ordnance expert Of the Council
Of National Defense. Mr.. Vaucla n Is
expected IN Philadelphia today. He at
tended a conference Of munltion officials
In Washington yesterday, after an
nounclng the fact on Thursday night
that the gun Is under construction.
The greatest advantage Of th new
gun is its mobility. American ordnance
experts have learned the celebrated 10
mile gun Of the Germans cannot be
moved feadily, as Il Is solldly imbedded
n concrete emplacement The force
OF the charge OF explosive makes II
necessary to build the weapon so that
ts angle OF Ore cannot be raised or
lowered.
The new American gun can be moved
from place TO place on rails and also
can be moved on its carriage base. How
this is done is one Of the secrets which
may not be revealed.
This advantage" sad one military
expert yesterday. more than eqlalzes
any advantage In range which the Ger
man gun may possess. The Germsn
super-gun has It's range carefully
worked out mathematically and Is then
emplaced so that IL will IRE according
to the mathematical calculations. There
are no test shots. II the gun ls wrong
/ " emplaced L is, for the time being
useless. The American gun, however
may alter its shots and thus can Keep
In action constantly.
An indication Of the secrecy which
surrounds the construction OF the gun
was given by Alba B. Johnson president
Of the Baldwin Locomotive Works. Mr.
Vauclan, as vice-presldent OF this cor
poraton, Is theoretically, subordinate
Of Mr. Johnson. Yet Mr.. johnson Ii
not allowed TO discuss the new gun.
I'VE have great hopes" he said yes
terday. But none Of us may talk abou
the weapon except Mr. Vauclain. III
will give out all statements
I The factory where this new weapol
Is being built is probably the bes
! guarded In the United States. Ever,
workman employed Is known TO the on
cials in charge Of the work, havinl
been carefully chosen on the strength
, Of his antecedents and record.
This gun will not be operated on
tractor, 70 is bel eved, but will be move'
b on the heavy railways which are nov
being laid in the rear Of the American
lines.
The callber Of the shell viii be a
least an inch larger than that OF tn
German long-range gun, which Is 81
inches.
In the opinion OF ordnance experts
3 Mr.. Vauclain when he spoke Of III
/ sun at tho dinner of the Four Coun
ties Magistrates Association, purpose
, ly refralned from dwelling In deta
upon the power OF the weapon. It
8 believed ne is reserving such facts a
e he can give out for supplemental
2 statement.
I Special crews Of gunners will b
r trained to operate this new wespoI
These men already are receiving thel
Y preliminary instruction, both In IN
{ firing Of the gun and the repair OF tn
:. various mechanical parts.
! The gun will not be operated in ba
r terry formation, now used for tn
4 smaller field guns. lnformat on r.
r eardlng the method TO be used In mar
= euvering is not forthcoming, but II
S certain the guns Will form a last lin
OF defense and onense back Of N
4 three-lnch field pieces and the msch.r
J. guns.