Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-12-02

be found desirable 10 DlluB ABOUT
gradually a moderate Increase in
certain branches OF the Regular Ar
my, It Is thought that it maye be pos
sible TO make this increase in the
numerical strength of the army with
out substantial increase in the cost
of maintenance of the military estab-
hshment, provided congress shall
give its consent 10 the following pro-
posed plan for the distribution and
shelter of the mobile army, fhich
is submitted and urged both as an
economic measure and also because
OF its intimate relation to the pro-
posed policy of national defense set
forth above. Indeed, SO closely re-
lated is it that it may we'll be said to
be as essential part of that policy
In my last report, says Secretary
of War Dickinson, attention was in
vfted to the growing Importance of
military aerOnautics as a possible
auiliary for national defense. Dur
ing the past year progress in aero
nautics has been rapid. Records
have been broken both with dirigible
ballons and heavier than air ma
chimes. The Zeppelin ii in Germany
has increased it's length of Hme in
the air from twelve hours Con July
4, 190S) to thiTty-six hours, cover
ing a distance of 900 miles, and has
carried 26 persons at one time. The
Wright brothers have increased the
length of their two flights to two
hours and thirty minutes, have car
ried a passenger one hour and ten
minutes and have flown at a height
of 040 feet. Six aviators have cross
ed the hour mark with aeroplanes,
and the number making continuous
flights is growing rapidly. Cross
country flights are taking the place
of flights in a circle over a limited
field and the latest achievements, in
which an aeroplane flew from France
TO England crossing the English
Channel, another up the Hudson Riv-
er from Governors Island to near
Grants tomb and return, and the re-
cent spectacular flight of M. de Lam
bert on October 10, from Juvisy to
Paris and return, reaching a height
of 800 feet above the top of the
Eiffel Tower, indicate the practi-
cability of mechanical flight.
Military authorities summarize the
applications of air ships to warfare
as follows:
(a) To gain information in peace
time respecting harbors, fortifica-
tions, etc.
OBJ Patrols and frontier guards.
(c) For reconnaissance and photo
graphic work
(d) Dispatch work.
(e) Checking an enemy's recon
naissanca on land or sea
(f) Signaling and wireless tele-
graph stations.
(g) Directing artillery fire and
drawing enemy's fire.
(h) Destroying the enemy's aerial
fire.
Cd Attacking an enemys base line
and destroying stores, etc.
Cd Destroying railways and other
(k) Raiding night or surprise at
tacks on field forces, using explo-
sives or incendiary mixtures.
(m) Raiding harbors and naval
bases.
(n) Carrying out oversee raids.
(o) Locating and capturing or
destroying submarines.
(p) Locating mines.
(q) Following up a victory by
land or sea and completing the rout.
But whatever may be the influence
Of aerial locomotion upon the art of
war, whether or not it will ever prove
a valuable auXialiary to armies in
the field, the fact must be recognized
that all first class powers except the
United States are providing them
selves with aerial fleets, Germany
and France being notably in the lead.
Two years ago the War Depart
ment submitted an estimate for an
of 100000 for the
purpose of beginning a proper aero
nautical equipment and instruction
for the army. Last year an estimate
was submitted to Congress for an
of 100000. No APP
have been made thus far
for this purpose. On account of the
apparent need for reducing, at least
the expenses of the War
no estimate has been
submitted by me for this purpose
for the fiscal year 1911.
The health of the army for the
year 1908 was better than for any
year in the past decade, saye the
secretary in his report issued today.
thus continuing the record OF steady
which has been going
on for the past ten years, following
he gneat increase In sickness Incl
ient 20 the Spanish war, with its
occupation of new territory and it's
exposures 20 tropical climates and
diseases, This improvement has been
iue both to the estab lishment OF
more sanitary conditions OF living
IN our colonial possessions and to the |
rapid advance which has been made |
IN our knowledge of the cautation
md methods OF spread OF diseases, |
notably tropical diseases, and mala-
ria. and typhoid fever. which are
common TO both tropical and tempe |
rate climates
The best measure OF the health OF |
The army as related 90 its efficiency |
Is not the number OF deaths or admis-
sions 20 sick reports, but the average |
number OF men con-
sick that Is, the constantly !