The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-11-04
Paris Safe Against Air
Raids; London Open
To Zeppelin Attack

drop DOmDS pTOmlscuOuSly, over
fog or heavy Clouds" be writes, in
which case the only reply TO Zep-
pelins is by super-Zeppelins. which
must be faster, climb higher. and
carry heavier guns" An even more
important admission that the Yep
pelin has made good" is contained
in the sentence which follows:
"Such super-Zeppelins." writes Mr..
Grey, 'are the only possible means
of retaliating by counter raids into
the enemy's country
Inasmuch as no aeronautical ex-
perts of anything like equal stand
ing have ventured TO dispute the
conclusions reached by these gentle
men it may be accepted that the
military usefulness of the Zeppelin
will be conceded Sor the future.
Both Buist and Grey declare that
the anti-sircraft gun OF today is not
efficient against high flying dirigi-
BILE, although they are equally con-
fident that one will be developed.
The old struggle OF armor plate
against gun will be repeated. Mr..
Buist puts It in this way:
mo one nation can enjoy any adj
vantage for an indefinite period
from possessing itself of special
weapon. each development being
conntered in turn by the production
OF machinery TO dominate that
which has hitherto been dominant"
Meanwhile Paris is practically i'm
mune from attack by enemy air
craft. The last partially successful
attack was in June. when no dam
age OF consequence was inflicted.
The latest attack was In August,
when the attacking aviatiks were
either shot down or driven away.
Paris's freedom Is not due to any
sentimental consideration on the
part OF the Germans, as numerous
futile efforts have proven. This city
Is much nearer the fighting lines
than Is London, and--to quote again
from Mr.. Buist-"is within more
convenient range Of Zeppelins oper-
ated from Belgium than Is London,
but the Zeppelins do not get to
Paris"
They do not get to Paris because
this city's defense against enemy
aircraft is conducted in the air,
rather than on the ground. The
very first visit of the Zeppelins was
sufficient to convince the French
military authorities that a defense
from the ground would be of slight
value. Not only are there no eff.
cient anti-aircraft guns. but that
first raid limited at the harm (which
would be done the civilian popula-
ton II an attempt we're made TO
lombard the skies. More persons
were injured by bullets fired at the
aerial raiders than by the bombs
they dropped. Therefore a ring Of
aeroplanes was drawn about the
city.
II Is probably safe to guess-in
the absence 81 precise information
that hundreds OF aeropIanes would
rise to the defense Of Paris II this
city were ever seriously threatened.
Rumor has ii that 200 machines are
attached TO the permanent guard.
In addition there arr several large
training parks in or near Paris.
Scores OF planes would rise in
charge Of instructors or pupils II
the need came The city Is belted
by searchlights and anti-aircraft
guns One can see the flares al
night from a convenient roof, al
though they are so very far away
that they are barely discernible.
Planes on night guard duty carry
lights for the guidance Of their
mates.
a Zeppelin can rise faster than
an aeroplane. II e. true. hut a
Zeppelin attack upon Paris would
be met by swarm OF bees. Hard
ly an hour passes in which one can.
not hear the harsh drumming OF