Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-03-25
THAT %SEVENTY.MlLE GUN

THAT SEVENTY MILE GUN
When the report came over the wires that Paris
ws being bombarded from a distance Jf g. miles, the
story was received with general incredulity. But when
apparent confirmation Of the statement came in. official
1ispatehes from Paris. incredulity gave way to amaze.
nent, which was increased, when it was stated that the
french authorities had succeeded, as they believed, In
boating the new gun At a point some 76, miles from
Paris. In the absence Of more exact Information the
new device for throwing projectiles remains a mystery
and all attempts at explanation must be taken for VIVA,
thsy are worth.
The undeniable fact is that for eight hours on Sat
srday, and for several hours on Sunday, explosive shells
were dropped on Paris at intervals Of about 20 minutes
and that these shells came from some unknown source
The nearest point on the enemys line is So miles distant.
Saturday was a clear day in Paris, hence the theory
that the shells were dropped from above may be dis
missed as untenable. The theory that the gun throwing
these shells might be located in some secret place but
. short distance frog, Paris has received little attention.
and the French authorities appear quite certain that the
gun ia actually behind the German lines, and that it is
operating at a distance of rs miles. Both the general
selves to be mystified. - ~ -,
eOne theory suggested is that the Germans have
been able to solve the problem of the relay shell, on
which experts have devoted much study in the past.
The principle which the designers have sought TO apply
IS that OF a projectae made up Of a number of shells
nessed one within another. each containing a quantity
o. explosive, upon which the next smaller shell rests,
In operation the entire projectile would be discharged
from the gun~in the usual way. AT a prearranged dis
lance the explosive in the largest shell would be ignited,
and the forge Of this explosion would give new velocity
to the enclosed shells. This process would be repeated
until the inner projectile would be sent on its final jour-
nav ~ br<ao 81 At: -
be found of applying the explosive force in the shells to
the projectile, as each she'll would burst and permit the
force to be dissipated.
The rocket theory has been advanced. The prin-
elpie would be the same as if a Fourth of July rocket
were discharged from a gum, and given its initial velocity
in this manner, receiving further impetus from an ex-
plosiye contained within itself and operating continu-
ously against the resistance of the air.
mus lar the only eminent man who commits him
sell TO a theory is former Premier Painleve, Of France,
who expresses his belief that the new shell is con-
structed Of extremely heavy material, thus permitting
the same weight to be contained in a shell of smaller
diameter, and therefore Offering less resistance to the
sir. ~-,~-&~.
The aerial torpedo theory has also been considered.
1t may be that the result is reached by the combine
sfion OF several features, such as heavy material, a long
and very slender projectile, a new explosive, and 2 gun
OF unusual length and strength.
The use that has been made Of the gun-if it is a
sun-indicates that it was intended as a drastic accom-.
paniment of the great drive rather than for it's practical
military effect Its use was coincident with the delivery
Of the blow against the British linen and it was doubt
less expected to strike terror into the hearts of the
french. In this it has failed. The Paris people went
calmly about their Sabbath affairs, and ignored the new
gun entirely except that they expressed curiosity az ia
how the thing was done.
It would be followed, with the evidences which We
see around us, to dismiss as impossible almost ANYTHING
In the way Of mechanical achievement Yet there is a,
this time little basis for belief in the military effective
ness OF such q gun as appears to have been devised.
Long range in certain types Of weapon is essential, iii
there are limits beyond which long range does not an
pear 70 be Important, There are now in use many guns
with carrying power Of 20 miles, but their actual use
has been confined to about half that distance. For heay,
work the type sought is the gun Of nrse tcaliber which
easenarses 9 large 5projechles loaded with high explosive