Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-29
bf REAR-ADMIRAL K. L.. PEAIlY,
chairman OF the National Aerial Coast
Patrol Commission.

Patrol CommIHHion.
On April 80 l suggested the building
OF fleet of sixteen thirty five-knot
|oattle cruisers with their attendant
oestroyers, submarines. hydroaero-
planes, etc, in three years times, 70
give us fast powerful, homogeneous
meet with every unit like the others
IN speed and guns. and to put our
navy in unquestioned second place.
The cost was estimated at 100000.
! ooo' the equivalent of three weeks OF
. present war cost to Great Britain
aIone, which would be our cost IL we
get into war with first-class Euro
peah power or combination of powers
May the general board submitted
10 Congress an estimate of S79l.OoO.-
ooo to put our navy in second place in
three years
In this estimate were sixteen capital
SHIPS. ten cruisers and six Dread
noueht.s There was also an estimate
OF 100000 for aircraft"
Inc naval appropriation bills for the
coming year. as reported from the
Rouse Naval Committee, provide for
hfe battle cruisers. and appropriate
S-.ooo.oOO for aeronautics.
Ihere is, therefore. now no chance
OF our securing second place within
three years
but the probabilities are that we
may need our fullest strength by or
oetore then to defend ourselves.
is there any other way in which
we can get ready effectively and quickly
10 defend ourselves against hostile
attacks
II there is any way which gives
promise Of success, it lies in the air.
RECENT DEvELOPMENT
OF AERoNATTICs ABROAD
Few of the general public are aware
OF the astonishing recent development
of aeronautics abroad
The European war has probab,v
forced that development as much as
twenty years OF peace. because IL 70 =
VITAL life and death matter with thu
contestants.
1t has been suggested that victory l.,
'he war may eventually be determined
in the air.
Little Bulgaria, with. an area some
what greater than Maine. and a popu-
iation less than Massa chus2tts. has
over 800 aeroplanes
The personnel of the British air SER
than we have in our entire navy.
Germany has not less than o ooo
aeroplanes. and all these countries are
constantly adding with feverish haste
TO their equipment in this department
More machines have becn lost IN !,
month by France and GERMANY than
we have in both our services.
The ministries of these n,tiors
"hich have thousands of aeroplanes.
are constantly apologizing to the peo-
PIE OF their countries for not being
able to increase their air fleets fast
enough to defend their country and
protect the lives Of their people.
The aeroplane has completelv
changed modern warfare.
Surprise attacks are no Iopeer MOO
sible. And il one of the contestants
can secure command OF the air and
deprive the other of 1t; conditions i'm il.
N'eoiateiy become those of a fight be.
tween blind man and one in posses.
sion Of his eyes
Our geographical position is a great
asset.
AN attack upon us must come nv
sea Our coast line as base gives
us an inestimahle advantage i'm aerial
warfare and will enable us TO send
out such cloud of aeroplanes. as will
completely overwhelm and destroy any
number of aeropianes that can be
transported ON the decks Of n hostile
fleet' thus leaving us in the possession
OF our eyes and the enemy blinded.
COAST DEFENSE SYSTEM
VITAL FOR COUNTRY
n vital thing for this country is an
acriai coast defense system. over and
beyond the aeronautieal equipment OF
the army and navy, and one that shall,
not he dependent upon or subordinate
TO either the navy or the army.
The first essential in an aero defense