The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-08-28
National Defense Problems
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BY Free eric q Haslin.


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\ Another factor that enxers largely
Into the strategica1 equation is the
Iaeroplane scout who hoyers over the
leuemy's lines day and might. report
ling Instantly every movement which is
lpercefyed beneath. AS each aeroplaue
Tor dirigfble Is equipped with wireless
LIT is possible for these air-scouts to
watch the activities OF the enemy 3
forces and report instantly to head
quarters.
II IL therefore practically impos-
Isib1e for one army to prepare for
movement upon large scale without
Ibetraying its intention to the eyes In
1.-THE sky which follow every move. one
,lof the great surprises of the present.
WAR. according to military experts is
!! that there have been no surprises. Not
q single instance of consequence OF
4 lam bush or dankng turn has taken
place since the commencement OF the
war, owing to the superb work of the
,saytators and aeronauts. Thus isetne
modern com mander relieved OF one
great fear which continually harassed
his predecessors.
Selects Big Building.
The modern strateglst who attacks
Iithe problems presented by warfare on
1.-THE gigantic scale of the present con-
dict usually selects for his neadquar-
tiers some large building well to the
,lrear OF his army. Telephone wires:
,lerected 1t becomes possible to ring
,Iup any portion of the battlefront at
,lonce. wireless operators are also In
lIstaIled to receive messages from the
lair scouts and the field wireless sta
tons.
On a large table is spread scale
simap, showing the most minute yar1-
: lations Of the terrain along the battle
front and the stations Of the
: troops. Relnforcements under way
Iare Identified by arrows.
Sentries are posted at all the exits
: land approaches and no one ls allowed
|. Ito come within fifty feet OF headquar-
slters without special permit. A
: mounted patrol is stationed nearby.
> ready to rush messages In case the
wire is broken and auto
: lmo biles ceaselessly dash up to the
house and then away again, carrying
sIthe division commanders who come
elfor personal interviews with the COM
s;;mander-In-chief.
An anxious moment is approaching.
The right wing of the army has SUI
setback from which 1T must
before the entire field army
9 lean operate as unit. The whole
involving more than q; mill
gllion men and possibly endangering
The future Of the nation. hinges on
tlthe fate of the hard-fghtfng right.
time the wireless receiver
and buzzes or the telephone
bell rings the officers who are bent
: over the huge map look up and cease
: talking. But the expected message
does not arrive
q When an Hour Is Vital.
A big, square-set mans dressed IN
khaki and with the ribbons of multi
Icolored decorations upon his chest is
3 pacing up and down the room, his
hands behind his back. For two
. DAVIS he has spoken only in monosyll-
! IabIes and then only in answer to the
Y deferential inquiries Of his stan. The
fate of a nation rests In his hands. An
hour lost by the right wing In re-
forming and joining his plan of attack
may cost him the battle and with it
: 1.-The campaign.
Once more the wireless receiver
lclicks. The operator does not wait to
type the message but dashes 1t on on
La sheet of paper while the command
|er-in- chief bends over his shoulder
The big man scowls, for the right
wing is not advancing. Suddenly his
lface brightens with daring idea. He
dictates an order commanding the
right wing to feign retreat Tor two
> hours and then, at the moment that
q the requirements arrive. to rally
and attack en- masse!
A moment later a high-power motor
car sweeps out from the portecochere
lof the building. carrying an adjutant
sitting beside the sQuare-ser man In
Khaki. The sentries present arms,
with a snap, as the commandments
: chief passes, his mind occupied IN
, planning the psychological effect Of
! the battle action. At the very mo-
ment when the fetgned retreat shall
have led the enemy into q trap and
the grand advance OF his armies will
T commence. he, the commander-in-
chief, shall be there to lend spirit by
! his presence. to correct any possible
error In strategy or execution and to
insure the fullest measure of efficient
generalship in every corps. In every
division. in every regiment and. as
! far as possible, In every man.
The weapons Of war may change the
manner Of hght1ng may change. STRAIT
: egy may change-but men and
: psychology OF men remain the same.
nAYEOR FARMERS.