Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-11-07
VALUE IN WAR OF AIR
CRAFT STILL UNSETTLED
Much Doubt as to Its Service in Of
Tense, Brig. Gen. Scriven
Declares.

How the aeroplane has wrought ire
mendous changes in the game OF war;
as is being demonstrated now on the
battlefelds of Europe, is pointed out by
Brig. Gen. Scriven, chief of the Army
Signal Corps, in his annual report.
1T now appears" said Gen. Scriven,
that the actual game Of war is played
openly, with cards laid on the table.
anu opportunity no longer is given for
inference as to concealed movements
or for surprise, perhaps not even for
the exercise of the high military quail
ity of anticipation Of the unseen move
ments of the adversary.
1T seems probable that the aeroplane.
and to some smaller degree all air
craft. have altered, not the principles
of strategy, which are inmutable, but
the theory and application of grand
tactics"
Undirected Fire ''Distasteful."
Gen. Scriven declares that dislike
must always exist to the use of air
craft in general destructive work
against non-combatants. A fire sown
broadcast upon the earth,' he says. "or
employed under conditions which make
specific aim useless. is at least distaste
full The chief effect achieved by the
bomb dropping aircraft, he states, is a
moral one. He adds:
1T may be said, however. that if the
future shows that attack from the sky
is effective and terrible, as may prove
to be the case, 1t is evident that, like
the rain, it must fall upon the just and
upon the unjust, and it may be sup
posed Will therefore become taboo to
all civilized people and forbidden at
Comparing the two types of air fight
ers, he says that he is not yet pre-
pared to recommend that the army
take up the dirigible seriously, as it's
value is still believed to be indetermi-
nate" He opposes it because it re-
qulres, he says. too many favorable
conditions to insure success, and it's
cost is comparatively great" He rec
oI1nends, however. that "one or two
dirigibles. of American manufacture
and design. might well be purchased
for experimental purposes and to en-
courage our manufacturers in endeav-
or along this line of work" A ratio
OF one dirigible to thirty-five aero
would be about right for the army
Offensive Value in Doubt.
After recounting the various uses of
air craft in Reconnaissance and the
collection and transmission of infor-
nation in the theater of military
operations" Gen. Scriven goes on TO
declare that as to it's service I'm of
Tense much doubt remains, except
where an overhead attack upon troops
can be made effective, a condition that
probably does not often arise" Be
cause of the proved efficiency of fire
OF small arms and guns from the
ground at air craft operating at ele-
vations below 5000 feet under usual
weather conditions compelling flying
at such great attitudes, especially by
the dirigible, the reaching of the Sc
lected object by falling projectiles be-
comes improba ble.'
OF the attack by aeroplane," he adds.
although l belive it's Importance is
exaggerated, it is admitted that it may
prove useful at times, and may be
resorted to against proper detectives
when needed. if the aeroplanes are
available. On the other hand, it may
later be shown that serial offensive
nights. especially in conjunction with
sea operations, may prove important,
but 1t is useless to prophecy, and l be-
lieVe the only safe conclusion at this
time regarding the value of aerial Of
fensive is the verdict not proven"
AS to the aeroplane, he SAYS the
present practice points strongly in
favor of the biplane over the mono
plane as a war machine He RECON-
mends the training of men of the No
tional Guard in aviation and the estah-
llstment of a reserve CORPS of living
men throughout the country