Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1914-02-27

Those who followed the develop
ment of the Italian-Turkish war will remember
how at the very start of the campaign, before tne
first engagement took place, the newly lanoeu
Italians we're saved from an unpleasant surprise
by the aerial scouts, who observed three adVanc-
ing columns of Turks and Arabs or ABOUT o'ooo
men. The Italians, after receiving this lntorma-
ton. could successfully calculate distances ana ar
range for their defense.
On the following day, October "a, the oatue OF
Sciara-Sciat took place, resulting in the loss TO
the Turkish army of 5000 men. During the pat
tie two aeroplanes were circllng the air. Inc
flights took place above the line Of tlre, so as TO
be able to direct the firing of the big guns from
the battleship Carlo Alberto and also OF the noun
tain artillery. The aeroplanes were often snot
at by the guns Of the enemy, but with no results.
The finding of the enemy was an influential event.
The situation at the time was such That without
that discovery the Italians would have met WIN
a defeat which might have affected the Whole
campaign. Thus two men and two old, half worn
aeroplanes saved a defeat which might nave III
volved the loss of thousands OF hves-as was the
case in the Erithrea campaign-at a cost OF pos
sibly only a few dollars, the price Of gasolene ana
oil.
Later in the campaign the aeroplane became d
veritable advance agent of peace, Delng useo ny
the Italian officers to drop manifestoes over the
encampmentt telling the natives of the Italians In
tentions. This is a very important matter, De-
cause, as shown by Frances long campaign II
Algeria and Morocco, most Of the trouble IN colon
les is due to the natives misunderstanding the
~ VI e">
chance to explain their intentions.
Again in the Balkan war the aeroplane was a
messenger of peace.
Perhaps the greatest surprise of the Balkan
war was that Adrianople, the Gibraltar of the Bal
kans, which the Turks were supposed TO deieno
to the last breath of life, was captured with little
loss of life by a comparatively small force. Inc
aeroplane-even the old type clumsy machines
manned by UNFRAMED pilots. used by the Bulgar'
faps-deserves the greatest credit for the saving
of life and money.
The Bulgarian air scouts, though unframed IN
military matters and poorly equipped mechanic
ally. went out over the besieged city and brought
to their commanders Information which enabled
them to attack the weakest spots. Then others
messengers of peace, whom humanity should
recognize now that they have saved thousands OF
lives in both the Tripolitanian and Balkan wars
scared over the city and dropped messages to the
besieged, which if not Of peace, made Tor peace.
An admirable feat IN saving the lives of 500
French soldiers is credited to a single aeroplane
of the French Morocco squadron. In December,
1912. a column of 500 French troops had been sur
rounded by rebels to the south of Mogador and
Tor FIVE DAYS some anxiety was felt for their safe
tv. Then Lieutenant Do-Hu, in his Bleriot mono
plane. was able to convey information TO the com-
mander that achievements were close at hand,
and. encouraged. they renewed their defence
while the rebels, seeing ominous signs in the ar
rival of the aeroplane, retreated.
Life saving in time of peace, while 1t mas not
attained more than a fraction OF the NUMBER OIL
lives saved in war. is, perhaps, more interesting
70 most people than the latter, being closer 10
daily needs and experiences of the general public.