MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3727, 26 June 1883, Page 4

MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVES.

According to Public Opinion, tho notorious manufacturer of explosive machines in Philadelphia, George Holgate, hits been interviewed concerning his business by a reporter on the staff of the Philadelphia Record. He remarks that, from the description of the effect of the explosion of the infernal machine outside the Government office in London, it must have been caused by a power much greater and more destructive than dynamite. Holgate made no secret of the business in which he was engaged, and it is feared that he has probably made more infernal machines than any other man in the United States. Quite recently he has sold four explosive machines to persons in Philadelphia. Eachof these contrivances can be placed in a cigar box, and possesses an explosive forco equal to 9001b of gunpowder. He has also constructed and sold two burning machines, which enn be set for any number of hours, and when sprung create a flame of 100 gasjets, and an intensity of heat equal to 1000 such gas jets. " I know nothing," ho said to the reporter, " of tho uses to which my machines are put. Ino more ask a man when he buys one whether he proposed to blow up a Czar or set fire to a palace than a gunsmith asks his customers whether they are about to commit murder, or a match merchant asks if his purchaser is about to become an incendiary. I make the machines for those who want them. Ido not believe in killing kings with bombs, nor do I think it proper to assassinate statesmen with knives ; but I would not have the cutlery business stopped because bad men make improper use of the dagger. If the Nihilists are earnest, if they possess half the courage they are credited with, they will be supreme in a few years. Ido not believe that the Czar will be crowned." It must be perfectly obvious that the machines _ above described can be used for no legitimate purpose, though this fact does not appear to have struck Mr George Holgate. Nor can they be compared with knives and guns, which are articles of necessity.