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

drop bombs promlScuously, over
fog or heavy Clouds" be writes. ''in
which case the only reply to Zep-
pelins is by superZeppelins. 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 for the future.
Both Buist and Grey declare that
the anti-sircraft gun of today Is not
efficient against a 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 ad-
vantage for an indefinite period
from possessing itself Of special
weapon, each development being
countered 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 il 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 Oh 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 en-
cient anti-aircraft guns, but that
first raid limited at the harm which
would be done the civilian popuia-
ton II an attempt were made to
lombard the skies. More persons
were injured by bullets fred 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-ir
the absence OF precise Information
thai hundreds OF aeroplanes would
rise to the defense Of Paris II this
city were ever seriously threatened
Rumor has 1t that 200 machines are
attached TO the permanent guard
In addition there ara several large
training parks in or near Paris
Scores OF planes would rise In
charge OF instructors or pupils q
the need came. The city Is beltet
by searchlights and anti.aircraf
guns. One can see the flares a
night from a convenient roof. al
though they are 40 very far ava,
that they are barely discernible
Planes on night guard duty carr,
lights for the guidance OF thei
mates.
. A Zeppelin can rise faster thar
an aeroplane. IL a. true. put
: Zeppelin attack upon Paris woul,
be met by swarm OF bees. Hard
ly an hour passes In which one car
not hear the harsh drumming o