New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-03
BY GORDON BRTCE.

Probably no word is more frequently
on the tongue OF the average English
man than the one above Il is full of
meaning at all times. but especially
between 10 q. m. and the early hours
Of the morning. Then the exclamation
generally follows a Gull, booming ex-
plosion, If one i, fortunate enough 10
be few miles away; or vicious.
crashing report, II it happens to be
close by.
Just now the residents of the British
Isles are less interested in the Zeppe-
Inns themselves than in the means of
combating them. And in this connec-
ton u must be remembered that, up
20 little more than a year ago. the
possibility of these engines of destruc-
tion flying over peaceful London was
the remotest thing in the world in the
mind of the man who did not follow
the business of war.
When the war came there had been
worked out no method Of fighting these
big German craft. True. the aeroplane
was put forward as the wasp which
would sting the elephant to death. and
this. Of course. could be done if the
elephant were obliging enough TO show
itself at the proper time.
No Chance Against Planes.
\ Zeppelin has no chance with fight
ing aeroplanes in the broad light Of
day. That is admitted by the Germans
themselves. Therefore they will take
no such foolish chances with their ex-
pensive craft. IL Is under cover or
darkness that they sally forth on their
errand Of death. for only then have
they the slightest hope of success.
1t is believed that the Zeppelin raids
of the last seven months have had
much to do with the recent activities
Of the British authorities in the re-
organization OF their military and
naval flying corps. As matter of fact
this work IL regarded as the most
serious problem that has had to be
solved.
But, as one naval officer told the
writer, when the submarine became
some way Of overcoming it, and the
Yep is simply another power that we
have to neutraize. For every clever
scheme Of offence there always is a
cleverer scheme of defence"
At present the Zeppelins are capable
of long journeys, loaded with great
quantities Of high explosives. They
can attain an altitude Of from 5000
to 5000 feet, provided they do not try
TO carry too much weight. The chief
reason for their escape after bonn
bardment seems to lie in the fact that,
with the heavy bom-1 thrown over, the
craft is enabled TO ascend to heights
beyond the reach of gunfire.
Military Value Negligible.
But the military usefulness of the
Zeppelin is, and always will be, negli-
gible. in the opinion OF experts. II IL
almost impossible to maintain a safe
altitude and drop bombs with any de
gree of accuracy on n dark night. The
only results possible are those that
come through chance in the destruction
of property of military Importance and
the injuring or terrorizing OF an ex-
ceedingly small percentage OF the CIVIL
ian populace. The fact is that, so far
terrorizing didn't work. The Brlton Is
too philosophical.
At the attitudes at which the Yep
pelins have been wont to fly when con
Quoting their raids on England they
are not safe. The searchlights and anti
aircraft guns render their work ex-
tremely hazardous, and the hazard in
creases with every raid, because the
gunners are daily becoming more pro-
fcient in their difficult work.
There is reason to believe that Yep
pelins have been hit more than once
and that il is only a question OF time
when they will be brought down fire.
auently enough 10 discourage their use:
The loss of even one Zeppelin is bound
TO have depressing effect on the Ger
man authorities when the great cost Tor
the building and the maintenance OF the
machine is contrasted with the meagre
results of the raids. 1t simply isn't good
business.
Overhauling Is Expensive.
II is known that after one or two
trims from its base 10 England Yep
pelin must be laid up for a thorough
overhauing. 1t also is stated with au-
thority that even after one such flight
scores of bolts and nuts which have
been sheared off by the intense vibra-
ton have TO be replaced. All or which
means more money.
To insure better chance OF hitting
hostile dirigibles unique experiment
has been worked out in France. IL
sounds wild and the results are un-
known at this time. The plan consists
of attaching either end of long and
strong wire to two projectiles.
The projecties thus connected are
loaded into two powerful guns, which
are arranged 70 be fired simultaneously.
IL is said that the wire can be hurled
through the air with such velocity that
the envelope of dirigible would be
practically cut in halves II II were
struck. There is no record OF the de-
vice having been employed against Yep
peins as yet. but the fact that II has
been considered is amply vouched for.
OF course the British Navy. which
has undertaken the aerial defence OF
the country. is not giving out any OF
Us plans. but il is safe TO say that
strenuous efforts have been bent 70 an
swer the Zeppelin question and 1t IS
more than probable that one night the
German raiders will be treated 70 IN
pleasant surprises.
Night Landings Dangerous
The difficulties Of seeing the invad-
ers in the darkness even from an aero.
plane ard the dangers that attend
landing AT night are the most serious
considerations. Once the Zeppelin 10
located BIZ the man in the air. the su.
perior climbing ability Of the aeroplane
+ gives il a distinct advantage and rem
I ders the possibility Of escape for the
German machine very minute.
Trio restrictions OF the British CEN