Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-02-10
Ey KARL H. Won w1EeAND

ny AAAh IL NON NAEGANO
Omitted Press Staff Correspondentl
Copyright, 1915, by the United
Press; copyrighted in Great Brituin.)
Berlin, Feb. /, via The Hague and
London, Feb. S." Does any one for n
moment believe that England, in aer de.
termination to crush Germany by every
means in her power, even attempting to
starve women and Children would not
use Zeppeins il she had them!'
1t was Cant Ferdinand Won Zeppelin,
creator Of Germany S dreaded fleet Of
aerial batteships, who spoke. This was
his answer to the protests raised by
Germany s enemies against the use OF
Zeppalns and the dropping of bombs
on unfortified places, killing women
and children. His answer was justi'
ficatiOn of what has taken place and
what will continue while the world war
goes on.
"'No one regrets more than -
here the voice Of the aged soldier aud
inventor carried genuine note Of
grief unmistakable--'' that non-com-
batans have been slain. But have not
non.combatants been killed by other
engines Of warfare} Why then this
outcry2
Let me tell you: 1t is because Eng
land fears tne Zeppelin dirigibles. She
realizes that they promise to destroy
her splendid isolation 1t is because
falling to succeed in building some
thing similar she hop to arouse the
world to bring pressure to bear to pre-
vent the use Of Germany Of these great
weapons of modern warfare which are
not available for her own use.
"If the military effect of the Zeppe'
lin airships tends toward the shorten
ing Of this terrible war by only one day,
thereby saving perhaps thousands of
lives; if the Zeppelins, even now only
beginning their development as a new
military arm, should prove so effective
q weapon, that wars are less likely to
occur in the future-then their advent
will be a benefit to humanity quite
aside from their peaceful usages.
''If in this most critical hour, when
Germany very esistence is at stake
when an effort is being made to starYe
our women and children, the Ieppelins
add the slightest strength to the Faith
era1d against tne ring CT enemies seek
ing her complete destruction, then my
life will not have been in vain
What is yoar opinion, Count Yep
peln," | asked, "of aerial warfare as
represented by 2eppelins, in view OF
the expressions Of indignation from
England over the dropping of bombs
aerial warfare has come to stay,
was his quick reply. cit is as potent a
factor today as submarine wars are
War in the air must become Ms vital q
factor in the strife Of nations as any
other branch Of the military and nava
service
''In your opinion, what will be the
| limit of service the Heppelins will bC
abla to give in this war;" ! asked.
'"rhat is another question only the
general staff and the admiralty ca'
answer' he replied.
"IIaye there been any actual fights
between Zeppelins ard aeroplones dur
ing the war to date2'
SO far rs ! know, there mas peel
only one. In it, Zeppelin drove OIL
aerullaucs 1t must be remembers,
that Zcppelns sail smoothly, aim anc
fire their machine guns and quickt'rers
mounted ON the top, much more steadily
and more effectively than is possible
from aeroplanes. y
cit may become almost as important
us undcr.sea warfare, depending o
course, on the development Of warship
aud the new development of sub
marines,
"Acral cruisers, in my opinion,