THE RIFLE AS A WEAPON OF DEFENCE.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2821, 28 February 1878, Page 2

THE RIFLE AS A WEAPON OF DEFENCE.

Colonel Lloyd-Lindsay, V.C., M.P., Financial Secretary at the War Office," presided at the annual meeting of the 26th Kent (Koyal Arsenal) Rifle Corps on December Bth, Mr Boord, M.P., sod many officers of rank being also present. In the course of his address, Colonel Lloyd-Lindsay said that the introduction I ot tbe breechloading rifle had materially I altered the conditions of modern war* ! fare, and given a preponderating advantage to the defending' force which, in a peace loving- country like England, was a matter of gratification. In the present war the Turkish troops, imperfectly drilled and organised, but well armed with the Martini-Henry rifle, had been able to defend themselves and hold a position for weeks and months against the whole paraphernalia of war arrayed against them by the Russians. Something must be allowed for gallantry and resolution, especially in men fighting for country and religion, bat the result must chirfly be ascribed to the wonderful weapon which they carried in their hands. It was the same rifle as that of the British army, and, although the rolunteers had not yet got it, he hoped soon to see it in their hands also* In the tactics of the future it must be recognised that with a gcod rifle Urn - advantage was ou the side of the defending force. Some of the distinguished officers then present were at the battle of the Alma, and. would remember how regiments were deployed into line in the face of batteries of artillery and earthworks lined with soldiers with muskets in their hands. The line advanced under the '•' enemy's fire at the regulation time of 108 ' paces a minute up an open glacis and took. the earthworks at the point of the bayonet But such a feat of war nowadays, with the defensive force armed with breach-loading rifles, would bo impossible to the bravest soldiers. They might as well attempt to scale the moon; they could no more stand in the open field under such a storm of ballets than they could hope to escape from a' drop of water in a shower of rain. The war, therefore.bad taught England that her volunteer force was of the utmost value, for in proportion a^auziltsries has been able to defend their position with a superior weapon, so did the importance of the volunteers increase, and the necessity of providing them with the best weapon became the more imperative.