The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1914-02-28

ment of the Itaan-Turksh 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 adyanc-
ing columns OF Turks and Arabs of about 5000
The Italians. after receiving this informa-
ton could successfully calculate distances and ar
range for their defense.
On the following day. October "a the battle of
Sciara Scat took place resulting in the loss TO
the Turkish army of 1000 men. During the bat
tie two aeroplanes were circling the air The
flights took place above the line of lre, so as TO
be able to direct the firing of the big guns from
the batteship Carlo Alberto and also Of the noun
tain artillery. The aeroplanes were often shot
at by the guns of the enemy. but with no results.
The finding of the enemy an influential event
The situation at the time such that without
that discovery the Italians would have met with
defeat which might have affected the whole
campaign. Thus two men and two old, half worn
aeroplanes saved defeat which might have m
voved the loss OF thousands of lives-as was the
in the Erithrea campaign-at cost OF pos
sbly only few dollars. the price of gasolene and
oil
Later 10 the campaign the aeroplane became
veritabis 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 a very important matter, be-
cause, 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 the aeropane was a
messenger Of peace
Perhaps the greatest surprise Of the Balkan
war that Adrianople. the Gibraltar Of the Bal
kans. which the Turks were supposed to defend
the last breath of life captured with little
loss of life by comparatively small force. The
aeroplane-even the old type clumsy machines,
manned by unframed pilots. used by the Bulgar-
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 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 for peace.
An admirable feat in saving the lives of 500
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 DoHu. in his Bleriot mono
plane was able to convey information to the COM
mander that reinforcements were close at hand,
and, encouraged, they renewed their defence.
while the rebels. seeing ominous signs In the
rival of the aeroplane. retreated.
Life saving in time of peace, while 1t has not
attained more than a fraction Of the number of
lives saved in war is. perhaps, more Interesting
to most people than the latter. being closer to
daily Leeds and experiences of the general public