12 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
utmost utilisation of shrapnel, and by an increase in the number of heavy 
guns. 
“ Case cannot be dispensed with for the purpose of self-defence by the 
batteries, and for critical moments in the fight. 
“ A minimum of—in round numbers—4*5 k.g. is considered as the neces¬ 
sary weight of the projectile for the light gun; a minimum of from 7 to 
8 k.g. as desirable for the heavy calibre. 
“ Breech-loading guns have shown themselves to be thoroughly practicable 
in the field, though it is admitted that they require careful handling. Im¬ 
provement in this direction must, therefore, be aimed at. 
“A strong divisional artillery, the employment of artillery in masses, and 
the utilisation of its effective power by a concentration of fire on the decisive 
points, must remain guiding principles.” 
With regard to the old debate of “ effect and mobility,” the author pro¬ 
pounds the firm assertion that the future will see artillery combats fought on 
an enormous scale, and with an almost unimaginable obstinacy. Under other¬ 
wise equal conditions, the victory will fall to the side possessing the most 
effective system. 
In an Appendix, “ Retrospect and Concluding Remarks,” some additional 
observations are made in striking language. 
The smooth-bore system of field guns might undoubtedly have become 
further developed. “ Whatever might have been the issue of the develop¬ 
ment,” says the author, “ the system could never have attained the effective 
power and capabilities of the rifled system ; it was, indeed, only practicable 
in connection with smooth-bore small-arms. In the present stage of the 
development of small-arms, artillery with smooth-bore guns would, in fact, be 
wiped out of.the army.” 
The principal revolution in the condition of field artillery was brought 
about by the changes in the construction of the projectile. 
“ The universal transition to projectiles which may be regarded as having 
the effect of shell, and are employed as such, has become the deciding factor 
in the effective power of field artillery.” 
Apart from the change in point of value which the case projectile irre¬ 
mediably underwent, the author also points out that even at an earlier date 
the representations with regard to its effect were not justified, and arose from 
the moral impressions caused by ignorance. Decker had already expressed 
himself strongly on this point :—■“ Of the various arms, cavalry has the greatest 
respect for case-fire, the infantry cares less, and the artillery indeed makes 
nothing at all of it.” 
It is, again, very correctly remarked :—“ The feeling, or consciousness, that 
there is greater probability of being hit at long ranges; the effect the explo¬ 
sion of a single shell may produce; the wounds resulting from it—all these 
demand greater moral force than formerly.” 
Major Muller once more recalls the alternations in effect arising from the 
successive progress of the rifle and the gun. The very same element which 
in future will bring the one arm to the front, must, with certain variations, 
also push forward the other. Now that the tactical employment of modern 
artillery has become better understood, a conviction of its destructive power, 
and of its increased value, will in future battles become more and more 
firmly fixed. 
