Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-05-23
Battlcships Versus Aircraft

I'attlcships Versus Aircraft
TOR months the naval .amd military es
l adjustments have been in heated CON
troversy over the prowcss OF naval craft as
pittcd against uircraft controversy which
has now resulted i'm experiments off the Nir-
Eina capes to determine. if possible,
whether men-of-war operating under war
conditions, can successfully defend them
selves against bombing from the air.
Tho world war came to an end, it is
agreed before the attacking value of air
slips was thoroughly demonstrated. These
craft were used to great advantage for
scouting purposes in the grim fight TO de-
feat German submarine raids. but while
always on the offensive against the under
sea boats of the enemy, the allied flyers
made no great showing in their attacks
upon the u-boats and had no opportunity
10 engage the enemy's capital ships.
Army air experts now argue with force
that they prepared TO destroy any bat
tleship by bombs dropped from aloft in
sisting that vessels OF that size provide an
easy target. and if given a fair chance, they
will prove To the country and To the world
that the battcship has been rendered obso
lctc as an offensive nstrumentality by the
development of mir hghtng.
The navy has refused naturally. to con-
cede anything TO the army in this argu-
ment Officers OF that service have main
tanned with great determination that the
bnttlcShip cannot be sunk by airplane. when
il is cleared for action and for defense. 1t
is admitted that bombs carefully planted
on baltlcship decks might do enormous
damage. but with these vessels steamng
AT full speed and armed with anti-aircraft
guns, il will be Impossible for army flyers
To come close enough to make successful
hits without themselves being sent to the
bottom of the sea.
II has been apparent TO the lay mind from
the start that the answer To the questions
raised could not be given by anything short
OF practical! test. There is no supreme
expert authority that has been in a position
To say that either the army or the navy was
right in its contention. For that reason
the country watches with absorbing inter
rst tho experiments that are now under
way
II it should be proven that the capital
ship is no longer able 10 withstand the as
saul,s of aircraft: that one l. 200-pound
bomb or series %: such bombs raned
from the air. can either sink or put out Of
action. the great noatng fortrcsses of the
navy, then this and every other government
must modify its ideas OF naval warfare ac-
cordngly.
Nor will the American people be willing
20 go on taxing themselves to build $40
100000 or S5o,o00.o0O battleships the
fighting value Of which is in grave doubt
Naval craft that cannot he successfully de-
slroyed from the air will have to De built.
ii such may be possible. whatever NAV he
the national pride in the great flee, in
which the country has invested now more
Than $l,0OO,00o,U00.
Incidentally. tho cause OF disarmament.
as it involves great expenditures for navies
Will be profoundly influenced by the re-
suits OF the experiments now in progress
provided, of course. these experiments can
he regarded III any sense as decisive
Colonel Forbes, the new director of the
War Risk Insurance bureau has extended
ihe benefits OF the compensation and dis
ability allowances from The government 10
ex-scrvcc women. Discovery that these
! benefits were intended for women as well
men was very simple process. involving
| only reasonable construction OF the law;
hut evidently it required a new director TO
do il.
II the German government maintains any
+ control over its war Veterans. il would do
! well 10 restrain them from inaugurating :,
| COMMUNICATIVE III Upper Siesia The
| french only want an excuse 10 give en- n
| licking that they will remember for all
time
| The Interstate Commerce Commission
| viii act on the petition of Georgia water
melon growers FOR reasonable shipping rates
Oh their melons after this seasons growth