Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-17

The need Of an active air squadron tc
act IN conjunction with the United statoi
Army and Navy In event of aggression
~ an encniy was pointed out today by
Fhilodelphians interested In efficient ma
tional defense measures Of preparation.
The value OF the aeroplane as scout.
EuperHedinR the activities of outpostB,
cavalry and the sentinel, and acting In
a major capacity as the eyes Of an army
and navy was clearly defined and empha-
sized. The pitiful inadequaoy OF the
present MIR preparations for defense IN
this country was shown, and the reaui-
site preparations which must be made by
the United states in this direction were
stated by members OF the Executive Com
nnttee OF the League OF National Defense
Of this city. Some Of the members OF the
committee were recently appointed by
Colonel Theodore u. Wiedershelm, COM
mander Of the Veteran Corps Of the Isl
Regiment, to confer with the War De-
partment on questions relative to proper
preparations against potential armed
enemy
INCOMPATIBLE AS SCOUT
II was pointed out, in the first place
that the aeroplane is an Incompatible
scout. with q trained observer and a
wireless outfit as on the European planes.
II can communicate information from
points within 80 miles Of it's base. II is an
almost Invaluable aid to gun-fire. locating
the enemy batteries and signaling their
position when II would be impossible to
locate them in any other way.
In conneetlon with batteships II forms
a natural protection from submarines,
aearchlng them out as the fish hawk finds
its prey. In offensive tactics il has
betn observed in various European fields
that the aeroplane Is capable OF Offering
serious Interference to an encmy's plans
II can damage and sometimes sink small
craft, even merchant vessels and hhrass
all war vessels. II can aid landing par
ties. In fact, its uses are only begin
ming to be realized.
In the face OF the showing made in the
European war, II was pointed out, the |
United States is hopelessly behindhand. |
Even little Servia WAS better prepared
IN aerial craft at the opening of the |
war than II the United States today. Not
only Is this country short OF air craft, !
but the aeroplanes possessed are not fitted
TO be OF the highest possible use in case |
Of emergency. European aeroplanes can |!
carry as many as 10 passengers This
country has none that will carry more |
than two.
Attention was called to a comparison of
the available air craft In possession OF the
countries at the beginning of
the war, II was stated that European
countries now at war have Increased their
squadrons by large additions To an ex-
tent which cannot yet be learned. Even
20. It WINS shown, this country occupied
last place In the list.
This list Includes only available, depend-
-ple craft that could be used at a mo-
nent's notice. The showing OF this coun.
fy, it was said is rather typical of the
fhoie present system OF national defense.
y. S, NAVY LED WAY.
The United States Navy was the frst IN
he world To possess an aviation section
.hat was three years ago. At the present
liEie there are only Ave aeroplanes In COM :
alsslon and five more ordered. The half
ozen navy aviatofs, 1t was asserted, have
ever planeuyered with fleet, and do nat
now what ships and submarines look lilre 4
rom an elevation. The army possesses = c
~ more machines than the navy, but II Z
$50 has had very limited resources rrha r
s.y Aeronrome used at San Diego as nm h
Walton centre is privately owned I,
army aYlators. It was said today have ii
lxel W hla practice In operating with army q
!. y a"s country possesses no aerial n
oseryers, there has never been anv nrsc. y
g ~ nring With aviators as spotters
ia the large majority OF officers ana rne,,
ever have had opportunity 10 fauiiJarIza Il
emaelyes with the machines. Il
livery military and naval authority In CT
~ ata M Alan H. Hawleyl president IN
the Aero Club of America ''now reeo,,s Il
se that navy without aerial ewes is ,s "a
lpiesa as a submarine without merit
opes tnat an army without aerial aen,,t.
u aerial auxiliary can be eorraIied nd
,ssiltered y Ike herd OF sheep; thai A
10. OF naval base without aerial IA | n
lse ls at the mercy OF every NM, s,,t
.flne and cruiser, and that na.Jan
nd man. e'pieSs as