The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-19
zEPS ARE PASSE
Germany AbandOns Them as
Effective War Weapon.
Anti-Aircraft Guns Make Dirig-
ibIeS Too Great Risk.

Geneva. Feb. 19.-(From staff
correspondent of the Associated
ss.)-The Zeppelin campaign
against London has been found to be
Improbable. The cessa ton of air at
tacks on the British metropolis after
the latest appearance of the big dirig-
ible over the city last fall has been
due, not to fortuitouS circumstances,
but to the delibera ton of the German
leaders to abandon the attacks. as has
long been done in the case OF Paris.
The correspondent who was then in
Berlin was informed from trust
worthy source a few days after the
final London raid of the decision to
send no more Zeppelins and sister
ships of the Schuettelanz type against
London.
Air raids against England. the cor
respondent was told, would not be
abandoned entirely. They were con-
sidered to be of great service in hold
ing at home guns, airplanes and men
of the British aerial defense, which
otherwise would be freed for service
in France, but in future the attacks
would be directed against the pro-
vinces instead of London. The next
and final expedition of the year, on
/ November 27, was directed against the
midland counties in accordance with
the prophecy and resulted in the loss
of two Zeppelins.
+ The predominant reason for the de-
cision to discontinue attacks on Lon
! don probably is the increasing
strength and efficiency of the air de-
lenses of the city but the effect OF
the raids on neutral opinion in view
of the then plated peace over
lures may, also have been a factor.
President Wilson Sent Protest.
It May be interesting in this con
nection to record bit of unwritteI
history of the war. In the early days
of the conflict. when the air raids were
just beginning, President Wilson
I caused to be conveyed to Emperor
| William and the German government
a personal and unofficial MESA ge
which set forth that airship and air
plane raids upon populous cities were
looked on with disfavor by the Ameri-
can people, and contribute largely &c
stirring up anti-Gernan feeling in the
I United States. In view of this the
wisdom of their discontinuance wa:
suggested. The message did not faI
entirely on deaf ears, but the view.
of the military party prevailed an6
the air attacks tthen the only German
means of bringing home the realitie.
of war to the people within the Brit
lsh lsles) continued. Later they
ceased for time. to the displeasurt
of an element which openly accused
Chancellor Won Bethmann-H ollweg o.
sheathing his weapon in Difference t.
neutral opinion. The element was ap
peased but little by Count Zeppelin.
published letter to the chancellor
wherein the count disavowed respon
sibility for this accusation
The raids were resumed with tn,
object of tying up within the island!
and eliminating from the Somrne of
fensive as large a. number of anti
airship guns, air planes, searchlight!
and men to equip them as possible
Aside from this service, which is o
considerable military value. the roI.
of the Zeppelins in land warfare i
now regarded in expert circles in Ger
many as decidedly secondary to thei
great value as scouting agents TO
operations of the fleet