New-York tribune., 1908-05-05
MILITARY POWER IN THE AIR.

A posthumous article by Mr.. Edmund Clar-
ence Stedman in the May Century Magazine
has supplied a new proof OF the Versatlllty oL
his mind by showing that he had given much
study to the problems of aerial navigation, which
obviously belong TO purely scientific field or
thought. Thirty years ago, long before San
tos-Dumont gave to the world the now famous
demonstrations of the feasibility OF nlgnt
through the air BY mechanical means, Mr..
Stedman eyinced profound faith in that possl-
bity. Indeed he then prescribed some feat
ures Of the design of the best known airships
of the present day There is notable resem-
bance for instance, between his own ideal OF
the correct shape-one modelled after the fish
and that of La Patrie" He also foresaw the
value of an expedlent which has been adopted
nv several inventors of aeroplanes-a screw
employed for lifting purposes.
Though he may have underrated the dan
gers involved Mr.. Stedman predicted III 1919
that the opportunities for sport which are OF
fered by aerial navigation would stimulate lhe
desire to engage In it. Furthermore, he be
Iieved that airships would promote certain
kinds of scientific research and that they
would be employed for purely military service.
In all three of these forecasts his Judgment has
already in a measure been vindicated. Il he
nassion for q novel form OF pleasure has GER
tainlv contributed largely to the FORMATION OF
aeronautic clubs In the last five or ten years
The craft built for Mr.. Wellman has not yet
fullv proven its fitness for its mission. but the
mere proposal to seek the pole with us ala IL
Illustrates q large group Of possibilities. Finally
while caution may be advisable in interpreting
the fact, it is beyond question that severai OF
the leading governments of the world have man
ifested lively Interest In the deVeiopiheht Oh
the dirigible balloon.
of STpiman'S
generally accepted. but from one there will
he dissent He sees in the aerial fleets of the
future menace to the military supremacy
which England's insuar position has enabled
her. with powerful navy, to maintain 1t Is
to be regretted that Mr.. Stedman was not
spared to amplify and explain this opinion, for
his line of reasoning is not perfectly clear
There was once an international agreement Tor
Kidding the use Of aerial torpedoes. 1t lapsed
three or four years ago. but even If no fresh
prohibition were adopted an attack with such
weapons would be conducted at short range
and perhaps the assailing airship making use
of them would find 1t necessary to wait until
ii was directly above its. target before dlscharg
ing its missiles. But in any case, why should
not close approach to batteShlps or cruls-
ers be rendered impossible by the rapid nre
guns with which those vessels would be
aouinnedp Moreover if existing means of de-
fence are inadequate a further exercise or
inventive talent may reasonably be expected
10 meet the emergency. The whole subject de
serves and undoubtedly Will receive, careful
considerations; but until better evidence than
has vet been adduced is forthcoming to sub
stantiate the theory that air power will at
some time prove superior TO sea power the
suggestion must excite skepucism.
II is well to remember that the airship is un-
suited TO the carrying Of great burdens From
a dirigibIe balloon better service in reconno-
tring may be looked for than has been per
formed by the captive balloon. At the most
however. the airship cannot we'll be more than
scout. There is no promise that it can ever
be used as a transport in war