The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-02-09
BY Karl Won Weigand.

Copyright 1915, by United Press)
Copyright in Great Brittany
Berlin, Feb 9.-(Via the Hague
and London. )-"Does anyone sup
pose for a moment that England in
her determination to crush Germany,
by every means in her power, even
attempting to starve women and chill
dren, wouldn't use Zeppelins if she
had them?"
1t was Count Ferdinand Won Yep
pelin, creator of Germany's dreaded
fleet of aerial battleships that spoke.
This was his answer to the protests
raised by Germanys enemies against
the use Of Zeppelins and the drop
ping of bombs on unfortified places,
killing women and children. And his
answer was justification of what
had taken place; what will continue
to take place while this world war
goes on.
Held in Fear.
mo one regrets more than l do
and here the voice of the aged SOL
der and inventor carried genuine
note of grief that was unmistakable,
that -combatants have been
slain. But have not the non-com
batants been killed by other engines
Of warfare? Why then this cutlery.
Let me tell you. 1t is because Eng
land feared Zeppelin dirigibles. She
realizes that they promised to de-
stroy her splendid isolation; because
failing to succeed in building some
thing similar she hopes to arouse the
world to bring pressure to bear to
prevent the use by Germany of these
great weapons of modern warfare,
which are unavailable for her own
use. If the military effect of the
Zeppelin airships tends to shorten
this terrible war by only one day,
thereby saving, perhaps, thousands of
lives; if the Zeppelin, even now only
beginning their development of mill
tary arms, should prove to be so eff
fective weapon of hostilities that
wars are not likely to occur in the
near future; then their advent will
be benefit to humanity, quite aside
from the peoples agents.
Not in Vain.
"And, now, in this most critical
hour, when Germany's very existence
is at stake, when an effort is being
made to starve our women and chill
dren, Zeppelins added the slightest
strength to the Fatherland against
the enemies seeking her complete de-
struction, then my life will have not
been in vain"
There was no question of this old,
but strong man. His voice rang
clear, despite his near four-score
years of active life, career that has
been marked with eventual happen
ings, such as seldom falls to any or
binary mortal. Until tonight he
had positively refused to explain his
position to the press. German and
American newspaper men alike have
been refused, my own efforts along
this line having commenced in the
summer of 1911, when came to Ger
many from America.
The count reached here today, en-
route his his base at Freiderichafen.
He has been at certain sea coast
state to examine the Zeppelins which
returned from England and to gather
from their crews information which
would prove of use in future devel-
ments of Germany's aeroplanes.
Has Come to Stay.
what is your opinion, Count Won
Zeppelin" I asked, 'sof aerial war.
fare as represented by: Zeppelins ir
view of the expressing of indigna
ton from over the dropping Of bombs
in the night? ..-...>s.~ -
aerial: warfare has come to stay,
was the quick reply 1T is as potent
a factor today as is submarine war
fare. War in the air must become az
vital a factor in the strife of nations
many other branches of military an(
naval service. It may become almos
as important as the under-sea war
fare, depending of course upon thu
development of warships and the de
velopment of submarines. :.
aerial cruisers, in my opinion
largely will tend to change the fac
and aspect of the war, perhaps, there
fore, in the future, making war les