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Show TRENCH MORTAR The trench mortar has become one of the most important import-ant weapons of modern warfare. But it is by no means a new thing, although its present form differs a good deal from the same weapon during previous stages of evolution. evolu-tion. The Chinese are said to have been the first to use a kind of cannon similar to the present day mortar. These were made of hollowed logs, wrapped about by pieces of rope or enclosed in strong leather casings. Such cannon are to be found even at this late time in the interior of China. m When the Russo-Japanese war was at its height an artillery ar-tillery officer of the mikado perceived the value of such a weapon for trench operations. Empty provision tins were filled with bits of metal and fired from small cannon can-non into the Russian lines at close range. That was the beginning of the modern trench mortar. During our civil war hollow logs were wrapped about with iron hoops and used to throw bombshells. The same device has been employed many times in all parts of the world. When cannon first became known round stones were thrown instead of the solid shot manufactured at a later day. The early cannon consisted of iron sheets rolled into the forms of a gun barrel and wrapped with bands of iron. At Jaffa, in 13GG, the Venetians are said to have been the first to use round shot. When the defenders of Constantinople gave battle to the Turk in 1394 they found the attacking forces supplied with huge cannon, described as being twenty feet long and six feet in diameter. These threw huge stones a short distance and did great damage to tho defense of the city, which surrendered after a brave fight, and thus gave the Ottoman race a foothold in Europe. The Turk's grip has been weakened of late years, but never broken Mis future seems to depend largely upon the fate of Germany. Ger-many. Portland Telegram. |