The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-02-08
.fBy Karl H. Won Wiegand, United
Press Staff Correspondent.
iCopyrighted, 1915, by the United
preaa

lCopyrighted, 1915. by the United
copyrighted in Great Britain.
BERLIN, Feb. l. (Via the Hague
and London, Feb. 8.)-"Does any one
for moment believe that England in
her determination to crush Germany
by every means in her power, even
attempting to starve women and chill
dren- wouldn't use Zeppelins II she
had them?"
1t was Count Ferdinand Won Zeppel-
in, creator of Germany's dreaded feet
OF aerial battleships, that spoke: This
was his answer to protests raised b.
Germany's enemies against the use OF
zeppelins, and the dropping Of bombs
on unfortified places. killing women
ana children. And his answer was q
justification Of what had taken place;
what will continue to take place while
this world-war goes on.
mo one regrets more than l do,
and here the voice of the aged soldier
and inventor carried genuine note OF
grief that was unmistakable-tha that
noncombatants have been slain. But
have not non-combatants been killed
by other engines of warfare? Why,
then this outcry? Let me tell you.
1t is because England fears the Zep-
pelin dirigibles. She realizes that
they promise to destroy her splendid
isolation; because, failing to succeed
In building something similar, she
hopes to arouse the world to bring
pressure to bear to prevent the use
by Germany, of these great weapons
Of modern warfare which are un-
available for her own use.
IF the military effect OF the Zep-
pelin airships tends toward shortening
this terrible war by only one day,
thereby saving perhaps thousands of
lives: If the Zeppelins, even now only
beginning their development as new
military arm. should prove to be so
effective wearon in hostilities 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.
And now il in this most critical
nour, when Germany's very existence
Is at stake; when an effort Is being
made to starve our women and chill
dren, Zeppelins add the slightest
strength to the fatherland against tho
ring of enemies seeking her complete
destruction, then my life will not
have been in vain
There was no question Of the de-
OF this old, but wonder
iuiiy strong man. His voice rang
clear. despite his near four score
years of active life, career that has
peen marked by eventful happenings
such as seldom fall to any ordinary
mortal. Until tonight he has posi-
lively refused to explain his position
through the press. German and
american newspaper men alike have
Deen refused when they sought an
interview, my own efforts along this
Ilne having commenced in the summer
OF 1911. when came to Germany
from America.
Inc count reached here today, en-
route to his base at Friederichshaven
ne mad been at a certain seacoast base
20 examine the Zeppelins which re-
,'rneo from England and to gather
rom their crews, information which
would prove useful in the future de-
seiopment of Germanys areial
strength.
What is your opinion. Count Won
aeppeiin.' asked, '.of aerial warfare
70 ,s represented by Zeppelins, in view
= .ne expressions OF indignation from
.ns. = 81. .and over the dropping OF bombs
Aerlal warfare has come to stay, =
~as ' th, quick reply. at is as potent
actor today as is submarine war
re ,.;. War in the air must become as
s,'ai factor in the strife OF nations
.as any other branch of the military
M. a nasai service. 1t may become al
LIST n,as as important as the under-sea
n.are. Ssna,. depending, OF course on tn,
aere,,opment OF warships ana the new
".eiopments in submarines
Aerlal cruisers. in mr. amman