New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-19

ly imagine lHAI sOmc HHhANaOhs o'~
made or stored in the EAST"
The Lessons of the Raid
From this aerial battle over London
three things stand out:
First-The Germans most assuredly
are defeating their own purposes by
this barbsrous method Of numbering
women, children and non-combatants
and bombarding defenceless cities.
Their purpose evidently is to terrorize
the people to such an extent that they
will demand peace. But the actual re-
suit is to anger them and to make
them more determined in their convic-
ton that such an enemy must be COM
pletely crushed. Hence, nothing that
Germany could do so unifies the senti-
ment of the nation. saw no terror on
the streets of London and have heard
no comment which indicates that the
people will be Influenced by such war
fare. While the bombs rain down the
people gaze curiously and the school
children stand at attention and sing
"Rule Britannia; windows are quickly
boarded up, and in an incredibly short
space of time the signs appear: "Busi-
ness as usual while the windows are
replaced" Ruthlessness surely is de-
featng its own aim 80 far as the air
raids are concerned.
h. a
policy of reprsals, and the government
, will not be able 20 resist the pressure
much longer. Heretofore England has
held herself aloof from such methods.
I She has argued that her skirts are clean
in this war, and must be kept so, and
the fact that Germany so far forgets
herself as to violate all international
precedent and TO outrage all righteous
sentiments by the murder of innocents
does not justify England in resorting
to the same tactics. Two wrongs do
not make right. This position is
taken by leading men all over the ma
ton, and they have thus far kept the
government from undertaking reprisals
against German cities. IL has been
noble stand taken By nation that went
to war in defence Of the sanctity of ma
tional treaties, and 20 enforce such
sanctity, especially as IL regards weaker
powers, and II 10 could be maintained
throughout the war it would clear the
name OF England Of many things Of
which she is accused by other nations
and give her great standing as
moral force in international affairs.
But there is an end to human pa
thence. The people are not content to
sit still and allow the German TO pur-
sue his ruthless way unehallenged.
The press is unanimous in its defnand
that the devil be fought with his own
fire and the barbarian be repaid IN
his own coin. This is the demand OF
London, and it has an added force by
virtue of the fact that France has
already adopted successful policy OF
reprissl, and also from the fact that
the Allied air feet holds an unques-
toned supremacy on the hghtlng
fronts in France.
Third-America can do much to win
the war by deyoting her energy to the
production of an efficient flying corps
and by assuming and maintaining an
absolute supremacy of the air. II the
Hun can be driven from the skies his
doom is sealed. An air fleet that can
drive him from the skies can also
nullify his submarine warfare in a
large degree, prevent the effectiveness
of his artillery by keeping him from
locating the range of the Allied bat
teries, destroy his supply bases, de-
molish his munition plants and win
the war.
AS is well known, there is scarcity
of flying machines among the Allies,
and this fact is the basis Of the nom
reprisal policy of England more than
a pure sentiment of morality. This
has been openly stated many times.
and again was made plain by the
ministry Immediately after the last
raid. when the demand for reprisals
again was made. The Allies can hold
their supremacy on the fronts and can
defend and protect their cities tolera-
bly we'll, but with the present equip
ment they cannot see their way clear
to undertake reprisals on any large
scale.
If America can send to Europe at
an early date from 10000 to 10000
fying machines, adequately manned,
the issue of the conflict between au-
tocracy and democracy will soon be
decided.
This is the opinion Of the people Of
England, and il is presumed to be tho
opinion of the government also.
Everywhere Americans are asked what
their country is doing in regard 70
flying machines. and the news that
Uncle Sam is alive TO the situation and
is preparing to meet it creates dis
tinct thrill Of pleasure.