New-York tribune., 1910-12-10
DICKINSON WANTS
AEROPLANES FOR ARMY
Flying Machines for Military
Purposes Strongly Endorsed
by Secretary of War
NEEDS OF COAST DEFENCES
Asks S1e,546,843 for Panama
Canal Fortifications-Author-
itv to Establish Volun-
teer Army Sought.

IN his annual report strongly indorses the
aeroplane. and recommends an appropria-
fion TO provide for the signal corps rea-
sonahle number of the better type Of ma
chine for instruction and field work lie
ssvs:
Aerial navigation is attracting world
wide attention Marked progress has been
nlaoe IN thls arr during the past year. Hs
possible influence upon the art OF war is
much discussed among military authorities
the world over Recently in Berlin and
Paris opportunity was afforded me 10 VII
ness aviation tests that were being made
there by the military. and / was impressed
with the interest and activity displayed in
Tire development of this new art with spe-
cial reference to its possibilities for use in
military service
Germany and France continue to lead in
the development Of air craft for military
purposes. Germany has specialized in the
development OF the dirigible balloon. while
France has paid more attention TO the de-
NeloDment of the aerOplane. Informal ton
from abroad indicates that at the present
time Germany possesses fourteen military
fiffcible airships and a number of aero
planes france seven military dirigLbie air
ships and thirty aeroplanes.
The United States, which was the first
nation officially TO recognize the aeroplane
for military purposes. and which conducted
49, roIt Mfer; IN lsoS- the hIst pubilc @
since that date made 30 addition to its
aeronautical equipment which al present
consists Of ore small practice dirigible bal
loon. Ole Wright aeroplane. and three small
captive balloons; nor TO its trained person
rel the signal corps at present having but
f,f5e lelteLant and nine enlisted on
0urv IN connection with aeronautics.
There is but one officer who is z licensed
pilot for free balloons.
Il is contended by some that dirigible
balloons and airships Will at best prove 10
be OF doubtful utility in warfare. Others
hold that the United States would better
postpone expenditures until the art has
reached a more advanced state. The fact
remains that all European first class
a ~
ion 10 Tie subject of military aeronautics
and are Displaying marked activity in the
ible and the aeroDlane for war PURPOSES
~-hile the United States is practically AT a
stahGsflD IN this matter In my judgment,
the time has come when il would he wise
10 make appropriations adequate for pro-
lalns the signal corps with q reasonable
number Of The better type of ma chimes for
instruction purposes and for field work
Defence and Canal Fortifcations.
The Secretary calls attention 20 the fact
that the entrance to Chesapeake Bay one
or The most important strategical points on
the Atlantic coast. is wholly unfor:ifed
not single gun being mounted TO defend
the channel between Cape Charles and
Cape Henry At the eastern entrance TO
Long Island Sound guns are needed Fx-
cept for these instances, so far as guns
alone are concerned, the sea coast defences
az all home ports are in a satisfactory
STATE. but much remains to be done in pro-
! r1oins such auxiliaries as searchlights and
IN developing the fire control system which
viii require about s4.oGo,fea
congress is asked to authorize an expen-
ditare OF S9,546S43 for Notifications for the
Panama c nal. including the construction
ot posts for the permanent garrison, and
s1.ee1,o0o of this sum should be made avail
able Immediately in order 10 complete the
SUM OF s.. .eoo.a0o is also wanted Immediately
to be applied toward the creation of naval
establishments in the Canal Zone as
necessary part OF the defence of the canal.
The Secretary notes With qualification =
reduction of sec per cent in the number OF
teserticns last year.
Tic death rate in the army last wear
was the lowest ever known the total num-
her being $50. OF which 22S were from dis
and 1se from injuries. six being killed
by Noros in action while on sentry duty.
Dealing with the regular army organiza-
ton. tie Secretary urges the adoption of
provision of Law, similar 10 that governing
Tho navy for the elimination o. inefficient
officers. There is pressing need for eff
cient officers, hc says. to replace those de-
tailed on staff and miscellaneous duty. He
makes n strong plea for the passage of the
pending bill providing for the addition OF
el2 officers Of various grades
Tho most serious feature Of the military
situation and one thar should he corrected
Immediately, in the opinion of Mr- Dckih-
sor ! the shortage OF field artillery ma
terial There is ap inadequate supply o.
guns. carriages and ammunition, due large
/, "a lack of appropriations. The types
,7ceeed la1-c been developed and some OF
each arc under manufacture, but the ap-
of any considerable quantity
Preparino 30 Raise the Maine.
REGARDING the progress Of the work o
,,nooverin., the wreck OF the Maine III la
yana Jarbor. tho Secretary says that the
,sers for the construction Of a c"fferdam
al in,erlockins steel piling around the
wreck have been approved and are now
,,nder EXECUTION. II is proposed TO draw OH
the rater aS soon as the dam is tght ana
remove the f1Jd ana other material III
order 70 permit Il desired. OF a thorough
examination Of The condition OF the wreck
in i1. present position 10 oetern'ihe Inc
cause of the eNpleslo'i
r,lte s,,-roy,riation OF S30oGG9 already made
r,i1I .ccrn2lish ali The preliminary work
contemplated at present, bet the actual re
,,,oval Of the wreck and the restoration OF
no l,arieor io its Original condition VIII
,,e,,,ire = further appropriation, The amour
or which ,yilI depend on the disposition 10
- ,,,ade OF the structure as whole The
sso-.etar-- SAYS ii Is desirable that Congress
.,ro.,1s indicate ihe disposition TO be made
,e ,bc wreck ca completion of the work of
removal.
Es,rle more can he done lhan already has
heen accomplished in the work OF instruc-
,;or or the organized militia until some
nroyjSion j. made by Congress which will
allow the department 10 assign officers on
Tho active list Of the army to duty with
tho militia which Is now impossible
unfortunately the Secretary says. the
.xis-inc law does not declare distinctly the
exac4 extent 10 which the militia may be
c-7.ploved in tie service OF the United
States and legislation should be had that
would enable the War Department 10 de-
teyr7sDe in advance Of war just what cfii-
GERS and troops OF the militia can be de-
pended on for service
4 conprehensiVe act providing fcf the
organization OF volunteer army only af-
ter Congress has made declaration OF
war would be of inestimable value, the
Secretary says, If the country ever again
is confronted with a foreign war Such
legislation would permit the preparation
in time Of peace Of all the necessary plans
for tho organization. equipment and sup