The New York herald., 1922-02-12

and defensive elements in modern war will
be rightly and logically evauated? The
time has come. The nation that first looks
into the future and builds its policies upon
the solid rock of reason and common sense
will save billions and win the next war.
The accompanying plates are selected to
illustrate the great offensive possibilities
of bombing and torpedo planes in war as
shown by the tests in sinking the German
ships at sea and in experiments with the
Alabama in Chesapeake Bay. In these
tests bombs alone were employed-tor.
pedoes and mines were not used, although
they would be equally effective under many
conditions in time of war. In fact many
naval officers believe that the torpedo
plane armed with five mile or ten mile
torpedo in the future, which it can fire
into a fleet from point where it is safe
from hostile gunfire will prove more effec-
tive than the bombing plane. This may
be the case in the daytime and behind a
smoke screen, but at night the bombing
of ships may be very effective and mines
may be planted with impunity in the path
of an advancing fleet.
AirpIane to Defend Merchant
Ships an Important Element
1t remains to consider another important
element in the utilization of air power
in future naval warfare. 1t has been re-
Gently suggested by the writer that the
invention of the navy catapult opens the
door to the practical use of airplanes in
stead of guns on board merchant steamers
as a protection against enemy raiders and
submarines. 1t is well known that the
guns and armed guards did not effectively
protect merchant vessels in the world war.
The most they did was to occasionally
force a submarine to dive and expend a
torpedo in sinking ship instead of engag-
ing in gun duel.
The superiority of the bombing combat
and torpedo planes over the gun mounted
on merchant ship must be perfectly ap-
parent. The planes can scout and attack
at greater distance and keep submarine
or raider at long range, If indeed the
enemy is not driven off completely from
fear of air attack. This subject merits
study and experiment In this idea we
may find another important element in the
protection of innocent commerce and in
securing "the freedom of the sea" by utiliz-
ing air power as an adjunct Of sea power.
The more this subject of air power Is
studied in its application to navies and
commerce the more we are impressed with
the necessity of rallying naval officers and
civilians and encouraging inventive genius
in the solution of all problems involved in
the fullest employment of air forces at
sea. In this connection it is gratifying to
note that movement Is on foot looking to
the coordination and helpful cooperation
of all clubs, chambers of commerce, So
ceties and corporations in promoting the
science of aeronautcs. The army, the
navy and the civil branches of the Govern
ment are intensely interested in this sub
ject. They should all pull and work to-
gether, not separately and at cross pur-
poses II is a matter of national import
ance Patriotism, as well as commercial
interests, demands unity Of effort in the
development of this new and dominating
power in peace and war.
There is nothing sensational in this dis
cussion. Air power has come to stay.
Shall we wisely utilize it on land and sea?
Shall the United States lead or follow other
nations? The army, the navy, Congress
and the people will surely and intelligently
grasp the opportunity of the hour. The
art of flying was born in the United States.
1t should be perfected here.