New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-21
\ Disgrace to Civilization.


The first great air raid has reached England
and the destruction accomplished must be set
down as rdiculously puny. Zeppens are now
thought not to have shared in the attack. II So
the last word in aerial invasion remains to be
said But the night terror spread over the east
coast apparently represents the best that feet
Of aeropanes can do. As in every other air vent
ure OF the war, the aeroplane has failed. failed
sirnaIy. as a weapon Of military offence.
Germany's gain therefore insignificant
II the same could only be said Of the loss the
cost to the German people, Of the episode and It's
predecessors, Here quiet country county
whose towns we're as defenceess as the villages
Of our own Long Island or New Jersey. Without
q vestige or preteuoe Of military purpose the
German raiders rsned bombs these non-com-
blatant communities. But one purpose could pos
siblv have dominated the expediton-the desire
10 terrorize England and raise cheer IN the
streets Of Berlin. a wanton and brutal dlsre-
gard of Hague rules and humane principles, the
raid belongs with the worst acts of German mill
tarism in the present war-wth the invasion Of
Belgium with the burning Of Louvan, with the
bomb-dropping on Paris and Antwerp, with the
destruction Of Rheims Cathedral with the Scar
borough-Whitby bombardment-
We are not now concerned with the unavod-
able terror and horrors of all aerial warfare. The
nations of the world could not agree TO eliminate
bomb-dropping and the practice stands. So long
as any military purposes are in view the Ger
mans. like the Allies, are entitled to make the
most Of their air fleets. Those purposes are
numerous When the German Taubes sought to
destroy the EifTel Tower wireless they were
within the rules Of war. Similarly with the Brit
ish hydro-aeroplanes when they attacked the forts
Of Cuxhaven Had these last German raiders at
tackled forts or arsensls or encampments or any
institution of conceivable military value there
could be no criticism. But from the start no such
standard has ruled the German militarist mind.
Taubes dropped bombs on Paris with insulting
messages-sheer insult and wanton destruction
of non-combatants. The Zeppelin exploit over
Antwerp was Of the same brood. Rheims Cattle
dral stands irretrievably damaged to no possible
gain. And now peaceful English villagers are
butchered without pretence Of military need.
1t is a grevous list, an indictment Of German
militarism which the friends OF Germany cannot
attempt TO excuse. 1t is savagery which the civ
ilized opinion Of the world has already condemned
which must stand condemned for all time. The
stain Of it the German people will be long in
wiping out. We wonder if ii is too late for the
military leaders Of Germany to see where their
laundering has led their nation and to prevent the
GROWING outrage which undoubtedly hangs in the
air above France and England We mean the
long-threatened Zeppelin raid on Paris and Lon
don-the logical successor 10 the Norfolk inva-
sion. These attacks might accomplish more
destruction than did the aeroplane raid. They
might conceivaby destroy a number Of historic
buildings, much precious art, some lives. They
would be utterly unjustfable by any rules of
war. They would be crimes against civilization
which not centuries could live down. German
loyalsts in this country could do no greater ser
vice to their fatherland than now TO speak out in
protest against this last brutal stroke.