New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-08-03
MORE EYES FOR
ARMY WILL SAVE
MANY BRAVE MEN
THE PLAN TO BUILD THOUS-
ANDS OF AIRPLANES is
CERTAIN TO BE EFFECTIVE
AND DESTRUCTIVE OF
ENEMY RESOURCES


More eyes for the army and navy
is the demand which every day is
becoming louder and more insistent.
The New Mexico Council of Defense
has gone on record as favoring a
vastly increased production of
aerOpaneS, and the training Of
great many more birdmcn, as of
greater importance than the training
and equpping OF gigantic force of
infantry.
The following letter, written by
Charles Springer, chairman Of the ex-
ecutive committee. to Newton ID.
Baker, Secretary OF War and chair
man of the Council of National De-
fense upon the vital subject:
French Aviator Talks
The interview of Captain de Il
Grange of the French Aviation
Corps, published in the Official Bull
letin of July IA, 1917, points the way
to win the war with the least sacri-
flee OF blood and treasure.
In modern warfare, particularly
against the wonderful military Or
ganization of Germany, in an at
tack it is impossible, without having
airplanes constantly in position, to
communication between the
attacking columns and the brigade
and division commanders because of
the storm of shells.
Telephone wires are cut mes
sengers killed: signals often cannot
be made, or if made cannot be seen"
With enough airplanes over the
battle field proper communications
can be maintained, the locations of
enemy batteries may be accurately
indicated so they may be silenced by
fire. the positions of
enemy troops and trenches can be
signaled so that shrapncl and she'll
fire may be directed upon them and
the lines Of our advancing troops
can be accurately signaled SO that
our batteries may protect their ad-
vance by curtain of fire.
Air Protection Vital.
To send our soldiers to the front
without providing an ample force Of
airplanes and trained aviators for
their protection would be sending
them blind-fold to needless slaughter
and to certain defeat and di3aster.
Ii the United States and all the
allied nations can concentrate their
efforts upon this problem-to sup
ply enough of the four kinds of
airplanes, i. e., scouting or recon-
noissance machines, fighting, spotting
and bombing machines to sweep the
German machines from the air, put
out the eyes" of their armies and
and break up their lines
Of communication. victory will be
swift and certain.
No doubt the administration and
army officials are alive to the i'm
portance of the aviation service and
it is gratifying to know that the
Congress has appropriated $640,O00.-
300 for it; but that is not enough.
It may require several billions of
dollars, and the most supreme eff
'ort and cooperation of all the al
led nations.
Should Commander Plants.
Every automobile factory and
other factory in all the allied coun-
ries that can make airplanes or
'arts thereof, and which is not en-
gagged in making machines or ar
icles essential for carrying on the
var, should be Immediately put to
work on standardized designs for
he different kinds OF airplanes.
The people could do without new
curing cars and many articles of
luxury and convenience until after
We win the war.
The present excessive cost of air.
planes due to patents and restrict
ID manufacture should be greatly re-
luced.
Many more aviation training camps
,ould be established in the allied
Countries. This is of much more
importance than the trair-
ng OF 50 many infantry regiments.
Airplanes should be provided first.
Must Outnumber Enemy.
BY having airplancs in overwhelm-
nE numbers the efficiency OF SOL
liers and batteries would be so in
rcaScd that we world require less
numbers Of men. guns and transports
md much less expense for muni-
ion, and supplies
We have the resources, and vo-
untcerS to man the machines. If
,ur leaders have the ;ght and
lerve to supply the airplanes as fast
IS it is possible to make them the
var can be won in the air.