The military men who witnessed the trial were amazed at the results.
Colonel Hall, who conducted the experiments, said that he thought that the cloth might perhaps be penetrated at a distance of fifty yards, but even so, there was no doubt that it would afford immense protection for soldiers engaged in actual warfare.
The material of which the cloth is made is a secret. Father Casimir will only say that it is made of silk. He keeps it so closely covered that no one has had an opportunity of examining it.
He evidently has the most absolute faith in the qualities of his invention, for he is anxious that the authorities of Governor's Island, New York, shall make a test of his invention, and offers, to envelope himself in the cloth and let the soldiers fire at him.
He wishes to sail for Europe and give exhibitions of his invention in various cities.
If the Governor's Island test takes place, regular army rifles are to be used, and the only precaution the priest will consent to is, that the soldiers shall first fire at an animal, enveloped in the bullet-proof cloth. When it is found that the creature escapes unhurt, the priest insists that he shall be allowed to become the target.
G.H. Rosenfeld.