THE MODERN RIFLE

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 42, 20 July 1878, Page 2

THE MODERN RIFLE

(Ulakwood's Magazine.)

Beyond all contradiction, the increased power of tho dofenco is to bo ascribed to the perfection of tho modern rifle. Its long range, itsaccuracy,the rapidity with which it can be loaded, have made it the most formidablo weapon that ovor whs invented. Walla whoso defenders an? armed with it may bo literally Mid to bu unapproachable by an onoiny. Its fire is perfectly desolating. Nothing can live on the exterior elopes of works when they are swept bv its bullet*. Tho dogged courogu of tho Turks has been tho means of demonstrating what modern rillea can do. Wu believe that on the attack cm the linos of Plevna on the Car's birthday ororything that the bravest soldier could do was done by the Russians in their en-

deavour to take the redoubts. Nut only did they fail, but hardly any of theru (in some cases not a man) got away unbounded. It is worth remembering that it was in the darkness, after the close of that eventful birthday, that Skobeloff succeeded in getting into the Graritza and the other two redoubts. One reason of his success was that the worn-out Turks, thinking the struggle aver for the day, had, except a small "guard, retired from tho works. But we think that probably another reason may alto be adduced—namely, that the "guard which was left on the alert could not see toe enemy at a distance, and therefore could not take aim. It is hardly too much to suppose that, had there been light to distinguish tho assailants at a moderately long range, tho men on duty could bare checked the attack until their comrades could have returned to their posts. As a corollary on this observation we may remark that in future, when assaults are given, it will be absolutely necessary to return to the old practice" of delivering them before daybreak. This practice not long ago was condemned, it being thought that the risk which tho stormers ran of missing their way or making other mistakes in the darkness more than counterbalanced the advantage that might bo gained by stealing unseen up to the .scene of operations. Now that the scene of operations will be swept by the deadly rifle, the darkness will afford the only chance of attaching with success.