The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1914-04-03
Can the Panama Canal be Destroy
ed From the ARR

i
saying, in February: ''The cana
Notifications are entirely adequat.
and do not think there is The
slightest danger of the canal being
captured by any enemy" The
great canal builder might have added
in a paraphase of Paul Revere
None, if by land. and none, il BY
sea-" But how. if by air? This
question is asked by Riley E. Scot,
in an article entitled Can the
Panama Canal Be Destroyed from
the ARR, in the April issue Of
SUNSET Magazine. Mr.. Scott is a
graduate Of West Point, an editorial
note explains, and for several years
has made special study Of the aero
plane as an instrument Of warfare.
He is the inventor Of a scientific
range-6nder for accurately dropping
bombs from aeroplanes and his
device has been adopted by several
European armies. In 1912, in COM
petition with the crack military
sviators Of France, under the auspices
OF the French army, he won all
prizes offered for dropping bombs
from aeroplanes. In Europe he is con-
sidered an authority as well as a
pioneer in this field. At this time
ne is conducting experiments at San
Diego for the War department, drop
ping explosives from an aeroplane
under war conditions. In his article
Mr.. Scott points out that for the
past six years, at least. the problem
Of terrifying the Panama canal has
engaged the attention Of our ablest
military authorities, and naturally
every precaution has been taken to
insure, 50 far as possible, its impreg-
inability. But during this time new
factor in warfare has gradually been
developed. factor whose vast i'm
portance is just beginning to be
realized by even the most progress
sive strategists and tacticians. This
is what the French call the Fourth
Arm'-the aeroplane. France has
oyer 800 military aeroplanes ready
for service and is making desperate
effort to maintain the mastery of the
air; while Germany, Russia. Great
Austria, Italy and Japan are
aviators and providing
machines as fast as possible. Mean
while the United States is doing
practically nothing. lnasmuch as \
3attleships and cruisers will be
equipped, in the near future, with
'eroplanes, according to the belief Of
high naval authorities. the vulnera-
'ility Of the Panama canal from the
lir may be considered matter Of /
erious discussion. The most vital
md probably the most vulnerable |
portions Of the canal are the great
ocks and the Culebra Cut. Aero
planes may easily transport sufficient
ammunition to destroy the electrical
machinery which operates the locks. /
The volcanic soil Of the Culebra Cut
extremely unstable and intelligent
' placed explosives would easily
tart disastrous slide at that portion
{ the canal. Both the Atlantic and
'aci6c approaches to the canal will
e adequately fortified, it is true, but
hips may anchor beyond range of
,rti6cations and dispatch aerial fleets
gainst which, so far, no provision
as been made.
The writer of this article does not
ish to be taken as an alarmist, but
SKIS that the case be considered in
lie light Of present aeronautical de-
elopment and Of what may reason
by be expected in the future. Hell
pes not wish to say that the danger
imminent, but considers it his duty
warn his countrymen that. in his
pinion.a real menace does exist and
at little has been done, so far, to
eet it. Last year France spent ]
ght millions Of dollars on military
Japan spent a million
,llars. The appropriation made 5
, the United States was $l40, 600. \
the United States is
hind the rest Of the world in the