American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-03-05

- ment of peace-a lie saver.
Those who followed the develop
rnent OF the ltalian-Turkish war win remember
nass m the very start OF the campaign. before the
rhra anuaRement took place. the newly landed
italians were saved FROM an unpleasant surprise
ny the aerial scouts, who observed three advanc-
AnT columns OF Turks and Arabs OF about 5000
Hnon uhe Italians, after receiving this Informal
tkyu could successfully calculate distances and ar
range for their defense.
ON me following day. October "a. the battle OF
ssciara. Sciat took place. resulting In the loss TO
ranf Turkish army OF 5000 men. During the bat
"a, issan aeroplanos we're circling the air. The
nignts took place above the line OF fire. so as to
zoe able TO direct the firing OF the big guns from
abe bafiieship Carlo Alberto and also OF the noun
xaiu artillery. The acroplanes we're often shot
al by the guns OF the enemy. but with no results.
srq,s thndlne Of the enemy was an Influential event.
The situation at the time was such that without
ehaf 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 a defeat which might have In
-~oived the loss Of thousands OF hves-as was the
~-Nnc IN the Erithrea campaign-at a cost OF pos
aihaH only a few dollars. the price OF gasolene and
oil.
later In the campaign the a~eroplane became a
~eritanle advance agent OF peace. being used by
ahs Italian officers to drop maniiestoes over the
eneampment telling the natives OF the Italians In
r~teniions This Is a very important matter. be
aeanse. as shown by Frances long campaign in
ANu"flu anu NlOfNt1O. most OF NJ Nhblt III A'ioh
49, ~ due TO the natives misunderstanding the
purposes OF the invaders, who never have a
chance 10 explain their Intentions.
Again IN the falkan war the a%eroplane was a
nnessonger OF peace.
Perhaps the greatest surprise OF the Balkan
war Uas that Adranople. the Gibraltar OF the Bal
kans. which the Turks were supposed TO defend
60 The last breath OF life. was captured with little
lose OF life by a comparatively small force. The
Ueroplane-eve the old type clumsy machines.
manned By unframed pilots, used by the Bulgar-
inns-deseryes the greatest credit for the saving
~sf ife 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
rhem 10 attack the weakest spots. Then others
messengers OF peace. whom humanity should
recognize now that they have saved thousands OF
yiyer In both the rripolitanian and Balkan wars
-.oared over the city and dropped messages to the
.oesieged. which n not Of peace. made for peace.
An admirable feat In saving the lives OF 500
French soldiers h credited TO a single aeroplane
of the French Morocco squadron. In December.
1879. a column OF 500 French troops had been sur
rounded by rebels TO the south of Nogad0r ana
Tor i've DAYS some anxiety was felt for their safe
AZ Then Lieutenant Do-hu. In his Bleriot mono
o,nnc was able 10 convey Information to the com.
ruauder that endorsements were close at hand.
and. encouraged. they renewed their defence.
while The rebels. seeing ominous signs In the ar
rival Of the aeroplane, retreated.
Jife saving In time Of peace. while Il has not
attained more than a fraction of the number OF
Hives saved In war. Is. perhaps, more interesting
90 most PEOPLE than the latter. being closer to
daily needs and experiences OF the general public.