Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1893 — UNCLE SAM NOT ASLEEP. [ARTICLE]

UNCLE SAM NOT ASLEEP.

lit- Leads Plllitary-ltidden Europe in the Manufacture* of Kxplottiven. Yv’kile the United States Government holds aloof from foreign contentioniin i marches steadily onward on the roa i o' prosperity, without a thought of i..auding armies, it is interesting u, note f.h* it, is alive to preparations for de S'-iis* in ‘irne of war, and has modest y toiio vad out that idea to complete su'tv in at least one particular. The European powers have been far ahead o u - in tue manufacture of gunpowder and gun cotton, particularly of smoke u-.- s povvtler, which in warfare promise? to lie of great utility on account of its out-ability, lightness and, power. Bui they will be much surprised to lean, that Uncle Sam is in possession of thej secrets and has greatly improved upon them. A little over two years ago, by dir ction of the War Department, Pro Charles E, Monroe, chemist at the norpodo station at Newport, R. 1., bogar ■ ■'.po, iments in gun cotton, and as a r<- • ■nit the Dupont Powder Company has i tiioroughly equipped plant at WilnUngton, Del., for the manufacture of 11.. <.or,ton, which is the basis of smoke.c . i' ivJer. That this Is not a mere exp. rirnent is proved by the fact thai ,lii'b pounds of gun cotton have recently been received at Newport fr ti; Wilmington. Both the cotton and t.c smokeless powder are claimed to be fat i-e;,eilor to the European articles, and, besides, are manufactured muchchea i cr. Experiments prove that the powder is i ost satisfactory for small bore and evolving and rapid lire guns up to what •t: e known as six-pounders. It is mo v able than any used abroad. T r i owder is not suitable for use in mus- ■ i.eis, but this is a possibility of the fuii re. To a large extent it is now use ' I* i our war vessels and is adapted toti-c i.,a n and secondary batteries. Great. , ; action will come In time.