The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-03-06

Those
ment of the Italian 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 an unpleasant surprise
by the aerial scouts who observed three advanc
ing columns OF Turks and Arabs OF about 5000
men. The Italians. after receiving this lnforma
tion could successfully calculate distances and ar
range for their defense.
On the following day, October "a. the battle or
Sciara-Scat took place. resulting in the loss 10
the Turkish army OF 5000 men. During the bat
tie two aeroplanes crcling the air. The
fights took place above the line Of fire. as to
be able to direct the firing OF the big guns from
the battleship Carlo Alberto and also or 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 was an influential event
The situation at the time was 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, halt worn
acroplanes saved defeat which might have IN
volved the loss of thousands of lives-as was the
case in the Erithrea campagn-at cost OF pos
sibly only few dollars the price OF gasolene and
OIL
Later in the campaign the aeroplane became
vertable advance agent of peace being used Dy
the Italian officers to drop manifestoes over the
encampment telling the natives of the Italians In
tentions. This is very important matter, be-
cause, as shown by Frances long campaign IN
Algeria and Morocco most of the trouble in colon
ies 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 was
messenger of peace
Perhaps the greatest surprise of the Balkan
war was that Adranope, the Gibraltar or the Bal
kans, which the Turks we're supposed to defend
TO 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.
military matters and poorly equipped mechanic
ally went out over the beseged 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 Tripotanian and Balkan wars
scared the city and dropped messages TO the
bosieged, which II not OF peace, made for peace.
An admirable feat In saving the lives OF 500
French soldiers is credited to a single aeroplane
of the French Morocco squadron. In December,
1912, a column OF 500 French troops had been sur
rounded by rebels to the south OF Mogador and
for Eve days some anxiety felt for their safe
ty Then Lieutenant Do-Hu, in his Bleriot mono
plane was able to convey Information to the com
mander that achievements close at hand
and encouraged. they renewed their defence,
while the rebels. seeing ominous signs in the ar
rival OF the aeroplane. retreated.
Life saving in time OF peace, while IL has not
attained more than fraction of the number OF
lives saved in war, is, perhaps, more interesting
10 rucst people than the latter being closer to
csly needs ard experiences OF the general public