The Washington herald., 1909-02-23
NATION IS BEHIND
IN AERIAL FLYERS
DR.. Albert E. Zahm Points
Out Needs of AerOplane.
OTHER COUNTRIES ADVANCING
France, Germany, Italy, and Even
Japan EquippiHE Their War ships
with Airships-Others Have EsDe-
eIaIIy Constructed Vessels with
Craft and Munitions OF War.

Great disappointment was felt in aero
nautical circles in washington when ths
Senate Committee on Military Affairs re-
ported the fortifcations bin to the Senate
yesterday without a provision for an
aeronautic appropriation.
Friends Of the Signal Corps and aero
nsutics in the United States army vii
make last fight while this bin is pend
ing TO have some part Of the desired half
million dollar appropriation FOR war bal
looms inserted In the bill IN the form Of
an amendment.
Speaking Of the hope among students
Of aeronautics that something viii be
done while the fortihcstions bill is pend
ing 20 insure the continuance OF army ex-
periments in aeronautics. DR.. Albert F.
Zahm, Of the Catholic University OF
America, an international authority on
air currents and well known in aero
nautical circles. said that the United
States 'Is notoriously weak and defcient"
In this branch Of the military service.
He drew attention 10 the fact that Ger
many. France, and Italy have specially
constructed vessels equipped with aerial
craft and munitions, and he did not hesi-
tate 70 declare that japan. now quietly
learning this new art OF destruction.
could invade the Pacific Coast az any
time
France Is-Prosresssre.
Dr. Zahm also drew attention 70 the
fact that there viii be Atty aeropIanes
delivered TO citizens OF France before the
present year has elapsed. with an equal
number Of men trained 20 operate them.
In Dr.. Zshm's opinion. the great value
OF the aeroplane has been lost sight Of in
the Use OF dirfgibles- Speaking OF the
aeroplane in warfare, Dr.. Zahm said:
Tt has been demonstrated repeatedly
that an aeroplane can rise il al ordinary
weather. carrying two men and sufficient
fuel 70 fly two or more hours at e speed
Of forty miles an holr. One Of the men
may be replaced by al equal weight CT
high explosive. The flyer can be launched
either from land 70 attack q feet a. sea,
CT from a ship 10 attack inland defersss
The tow can be dropped without danger
70 the aviator. and with sufficient Occu-
Tacy 70 destroy such public defeuses as
are vulnerable TO high explosives-aTse-
nals, supply depOtss transportation lines,
legislative and executive buildings. 70 say
nothing OF sowing fire over cities. farms.
AID forests. Unfortunately, there has
been devised TO effective defense against
aeroPlanes, except other air craft They
are swifter than cavalry. harder 70 strike,
and q hundred fold more deadly.
Cost of a Battle ship.
a thousand seropIanes cost the price
Of one battle ship. A thousand aeroplanes,
circling from land 70 sea. can rain
hundred tons OF meIinite per hour Upon
a feet beyond the striking range OF shore
guns, each explosive missile having the
weight Of a large man One such missile.
striking favorabIy. can seriously derangs
2 heavily armored vessel. or. striking z
transport, can instantly destroy her
On the other hand an ocean liner can
carry q thousand aeroplanes with avia-
tors and equipment These can be as
sembled on deck and launched thence. OF
from floats on the sea They can circle
far inland 20 SPY OF demolish, returning
20 the ship for new charges.
Such Is the technical status. What Is
the politicaI2 The mcet enlightened na-
tons have rapidly growing serial fleets.
both for land use and 10 accompany ocean
fleets Germany, France, and Italy have
specially constructed marine vessels
equipped with the craft and munitions OF
aerial warfare
Weak and Deficient.
"Of all great nations. America IS. no
toriously weak and deficient in this
branch Of the military service. Notwith-
standing that the practical aeroplane vas
first produced n this country. and was
offered to this government as a secret
and exclusive right. II had 20 go abroad
to find due appreciation. and there is
not one available OF this continent Be
fore the end OF this year there viii be
fifty American designed aeroplaaes con
strUcted in France alone, with as many
men trained 70 use them, a nucleus that
can be expanded quickly Germany and
Russia are following the same course.
and our denluTe friend. the master power
OF the Pacific. who could invade our
Coast any month. is quietly learning this
new art OF destruction
a hint 20 the wise Is sufficient. II
would be merely prudence 10 expend one
tenth the price Of one battle ship TO sc-
quire weapons. and develop q personnel
that may form the basis Of 2 powerful
military arm. an arm that may presently
secure our Coast against the most costly
and formidable sea force. pagan OF Chris
tan. Il Will be too late 70 begin when
the hostile feet arrives Il will take
many months 20 train the aerial crews,
and years 70 develop the ae=onautfc ar
senals- garrisOns, staff, and machinerv Of
war Now Is the tine 70 begin. Other
great powers are eQUIpping stre1uously.
We are protected neither by locality.
love, nor law