New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-01
Paris Raided Again.

Sunday dispose of the assumption that
Paris is better protected than London
against aerial attack. There really was
never any reason to believe that the de
fences were more thorough or elaborate,
except that the French capital has been
relatively immune. a circumstance suiii-
GENTLY accounted for by the strong desire
of the Germans to punish England. Each
raid must involve n considerable risk TO
the raiders. and if risks must be run the
German people would have them run for
what they consider an adequate prize.
French territory has long been invaded and
the French people have known what II
means to be under German domnatlon'
but the only way to hit at England
directly is by means Of air raids. and so
oU Germans who have written variations
on the theme "Gott strafe England have
made it plain that the zeppelins were re-
served especially for the punishment OF
the principal foe.
In the German official report tho at
tacks ON Paris are described as having
been designed "in rcprisal for the drop
ping of bombs by French airplanes on the
open town Of Freiburg." In Paris how
ever. there will doubtless be a widespread
demand for retaliation, and in all proba-
bility those i'm charge Of the defences VIII
be Obliged TO submit to criticism and cen
sure Every raid on London was followed
invariably by storm Of indignant protest
largely from persons with no adequate
conception of the difficulties Of establish
inc perfect system Of protection. Some
thing has been learned on each occasion
and the difficulties of the raiders have
probably been increased; bat before the
war began the problem of defence had
not been seriously studied and no really
satisfactory solution has ever been found.
There are a great many points of
more or less elementary order that are
still subjects of controversy. There is the
question. for instance. Of illumination.
After the first raid on London it was
generally agreed that the street lights
were of considerable service TO the raiders.
The illumination had been diminished IN
the early days Of the war, bat 1t was de-
cided that the streets were still much too
bright. Rigid regulations were estab-
lishod and heavy penalties imposed on
shopkeepers and others who allowed lights
to show in their windows; in the last few
months. indeed. the streets have been so
IN lit as to he positively dangerous at
night On that score there have been
innumerable complaints. and not on that
score alone
1t is maintained by some who have
given thought to the question of aerial de-
fence that the darkening Of towns is
mistake. 1t has sometimes been suggested
that brilliant illumination by means OF
scarchliehts would be infinitely more eff
cacjous. but even normal lighting accord
inc to some observers. would be better
thar darkness. Mr.. Pemberton Boiling,
for i'm lance. who recently retired from
the Naval Air Service 20 contest Inc Par
iamentaiv vacancy IN the Nile End con-
tituencv. maintained THAT any one who
chose to make a figh. oy- the city when
,tc lights were lowered and again when
they were i'm full blaze might sec for hin'-
self that the former condition Is much
the more eligible for the raider. Few Of
his constituents were capable of putting
the matter to a test. and perhaps mis- ad-
vice ought not TO he taken too seriously.
Ii is supported by some, however. who
have no political aims. and they argue,
moreover. that the gloom Of London IS
alloqethor mischicvous and in a manner
serves Gcrmany's purpose. which. i'm part
at least. is To- deprcss the people and make
them approhensive.
Presumably the policy Of the defenders
is determined cxpcrimentally. bat hitherto
data are wanting. and it may be long be-
fore adequate dcfcnces are established.
In The mean time those who are so ready
to censure the defenders would do well to
remember that the problem is rev one
and TRAIT though the Zcppelins have al
WAYS escaped whole they have NOT so far
.rrccedca in working any widespread mis-
chief