The Raymer enterprise., 1914-02-26


ment of the Itaan.Turkish war will remember
how at the very start of the campaign, before the
first engagement took place, the newly landed
italians were saved from unpleasant surprise
by the aerial scouts who observed three advanc
inr columns Of Turks and Arabs Of about 5000
men. The Italians. after receiving this iniorma
iion could successfully calculate distances and ar
range for their defense.
ON the following day October ~ the battle of
ScaTa-Seiat took place. resulting in the loss TO
the Turkish army of 1000 men During the bat
tie two aeroplanes were eifcling the air, The
flights took place above the line Of fire, 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 aeroplaues were often shot
at by the guns Of the enemy. but with no results.
The finding Of the enemy Has an influential event
The situation at the time was such that without
that discovery the Italians would have met with
a defeat which might have affected the whole
campaign. Thus two men and two old half worn
aeroplanes saved defeat which might have m
voyed the loss Of thousands of liyes-as was the
case in the Erthrea campaign-at cost of pos
sby only few dollars the price of gasoeue and
oil
Later in the campaign the aeropIane became
veritah. advance agent of peace, being used by
the Italian officers to drop manifestoes over the
encampment telling the natives of the Italians in
tentions, This Is n very important matter, be-
cause. as shown by Frances long campaign in
Algeria and Morocco most Of the trouble in colon
les is due to the natives misunderstanding the
purposes Of the invaders. who never have
chance TO explain their intentions.
Again in the Balkan war the aeroplane
messenger of peace.
Perhaps the greatest surprise Of the Balkan
war was that Adrianople, the Gibraltar of the Bal
Iapg yptlg fhn rtFL9 uarp nI fond
to the last breath of life. captured with little
loss of life by a comparatively small force, The
aeroplane-eyen the old type clumsy machines,
manned by unframed pilots used by the Bugar.
ians-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 II not of peace, made for peace.
An admirable feat In saving the lives of 500
French soldiers Is credited TO single aeroplane
of the French Morocco squadron. In December,
1912, column of 500 French troops had been sur
rounded by rebels to the south of Mogador and
for five days some anxiety was felt for their safe
ty Then Lieutenant Do-Iiu, in his Bleriot mono
plane, was able to convey information to the com.
mander that renforcements close at hand,
and, encouraged they renewed their defence.
while the rebels seeing omnous signs In the ar.
rival of the aeroplane. retreated.
Life saving in time of peace, while 1t has not
attained more than fraction of the number of
lives saved In war, is perhaps, more interesting
10 most people than the latter being closer to
daily needs and experiences of the general public