New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-27
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES.
Experiments Showing Danger
from AerOpIaneS To Be Made.
From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, August 2


ARRANGES FOR BOMB DROPPING
TEsTS.-Genesal Scriven, chief signal
officer. has arranged for some important
tests by Riley Scott, of New York. Tor
merry n commissioned officer in the coast
artillery. who since his resignation has
distinguished himself abroad In dropping
projectlles from an aeroplane. Mr. scott
has now gone TO San Diego, Cal, where
the army has an aviation station ana
where Il is purposed to experiment with
bomb dropping from varying heights.
Mr.. Scott has informed the military au-
thoritles that he is confident OF convincing
the experts that they must make proVl-
sion for protection against this form OF
attack He has described what may be
accomplished by an enemy in an attack
on New York City, and for that matter
every other sea coast city, regardless OF
the coast defences. He says that an
enemy's feet equipped with aeroplanes
will be I'm a position TO lodge incendiary
bombs throughout New York and start
conf,ayration with which the Fire De-
nartment would be Dowerless to cope.
Those living machines could carry and
nounds each. He believes this weight
could be doubled without impairing the
navigating qualities Of the machine ana
could be dropped without interfering IN
the least with the movement OF the aero
,ioro The only form OF resistance would
bo With q small arm from the ground
and ne saws that this protection would ne
~ doubtful value. as II would be ditlcult
70 hit an aeroplane in fight at a height OF
half a mile.
10 asserts that the machine could as
c.nd IN one mile and still be able, while
,r motion. TO drop an object with accu-
racy =, least sufficiently so 10 lodge in
csndiary bombs over so large city as
New York.
Mr. Scott's observations concerning the
vulnerability Of the Panama Canal nave
visiblv Impressed the members oil tne
tfo,,so Military Committee. 10 whom ne
o,,,ossed his views These observations
ore rore or less confidential, but 1t may
ne said that this form Of attack would De
oeoc,,ve Mr.. SCOTS idea is that dozen
aarorIaoes could easily sail over the Pan
ar,a Canal. each carrying n thousand
rorrds Of nitro-gelatine. and could put
,ba canal out OF commission inside or nan
an hour. III.
There IS con siderable doubt in the mlhus
~ tho military experts a. 10 whether the
aoroplane IL Of value rs weapon Oh
offence. Up to the present time 1t mas
be.n regarded simply as a vehicle Tor Cd
sorvation. II is now proposed to select
a., old hulk of the Pacific Coast to De
used AS target to ascertain. first, the &C
curacy Of aerial attack. and second the
extent OF damage. on both points the eN-
merits entertain considerable doubt. some
sav n will be merely a chance hit II the
placing OF projectiles is effective others
cor,end that the injury wrought would be
local There is general realization. how
oycr that IN. attack will have more or
LIS demorallziug influence. which IS OF
,mportance In an engagement
Much depends. therefore. upon the re-
suits OF the practical tests and further IN
vestigation OF the subject, which VIII be
undertaken under the auspices Of the sig
nal corps at san Diego.