Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 February 1893 — UNCLE SAM NOT ASLEEP. [ARTICLE]

UNCLE SAM NOT ASLEEP.

He Loadw Military-Ridden Europe in tK« Wanulaet.ire of Explosivee. While the United States Government hoi is aloof fr .m foreign contentions and inarches steadily onward on the road of prosperity, without a thought of standing armies, it is interesting to note tii at it is alive to preparations for defense in time of war, and has modestly folio \ed out that idea to complete suocoss in at least one particular. The European powers have been far ahead of us in the manufacture of gunpowder and gun cotton, particularly of smokeless powder, which in warfare promises to be of great, utility on account of its t urabil ty, lightness and power. But they will be much surprised to learn that Lncle Sam is in possession of their secrets and has greatly improved upon them. A little over two years ago, by direction of the'War Department, Prof. Charles E. Monroe, chemist at the torpedo eta’ion at Newport, R. 1., began expo iments in gun cotton, and as a result the Dupont Powder Company has a thoroughly equipped plant at Wilmington, Del., for the manufacture of the cotton, which is the basis of. smokeless p. wder. That this is not a mere experiment is proved by the fact that i.e,oot> pounds of gun cotton have recently been received at Newport from Wilmington. Both the cotton and the smoke ess powder are claimed to be far supe.lor to the European articles, and, besides, are manufactured much cheaper. Experiments prove that the powder is moot satisfactory for small bore and revolving and rapid tire guns up to what arekno.vnas six-pounders. It is more stable than any used abroad. The powder is not suitable for use in muskets, but this is a possibility of the future. To a large extent it is now used on our war vessels and is adapted to the main and secondary batteries. Greater perfection will come in time.