Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-11-29
PLANES MOST VITAL
NEED OF ARMY TODAY,
PERSHING DECLARES
Continued from First Pase.)

legations of military aviation to other
troops. and sometimes credit that
service with ability to achieve results
in war that have not received prac-
tical demonstration. Take, for ex-
ample. the bombing tests last year In
the Chesapeake. The maneuver
showed that under the most favor
able circumstances bombs of destruc-
tive size could be dropped with con-
siderable precision. In these exer-
ciseS, the vessel was at anchor In
quiet waters; there was no opposing
aviation, nor was there any anti lair
craft used against the bombing planes.
Conclusions "Unwarranted..
Conclusions, from such trials. that
aviation can take the place Of either
seacoast or battle feet protection do
not seem to be altogether warranted.
improvements In the accuracy of
anti-aircraft artillery appear to be
keeping pace with, improvements in
aviation Our own experiments
against airplanes show that to avoid
the danger of destruction they must
fly at such a height as to eliminate
the probability of accurate firing, and
this would especially apply to bomb
ing planes which have a limit as to
altitude.
During the World War extrava-
giant tales of havoc done to enemy
cities and installations were often
brought back. in good faith, no doubt,
by some of our aviators, but investi-
cation after the armistice failed in
the majority of cases, to verify the
correctness of such reports. Again,
the damage done to the allies by the
enemys bombing craft. including
" -
from a material point of view, GER
tainly so from a morale point Of view
and in it's effect upon the final re-
suits. OF course. some damage was
done by aircraft bombing, and it
would doubtless be somewhat greater
in another war, but until 1t becomes
vastly more probable than at pres
ent demonstrated, 1t cannot be
said that we are in position to aban-
don past experience in warfare.
Minimixes Gas Worth.
This brings up claims as to poison
gases, and how whole populations
can be wiped out. according to some
by dropping gas bombs. The
same reasoning exactly applies in
this case. Moreover, 1 am not ready
to concede that such inhumane de-
struction of non-combatants would
be undertaken by any civilized ma
tion, even though possible. It's use
against troops. though horrible
enough, was not, after the first gas
attack, so destructive on either side
as is generally believed. Here the
counter development OF the gas mask
served as time went on to diminish
the number of casualties.
I'VE are therefore logically forced
back to the conclusion that armies
must still fight our battles and to
win must overcome the opposing
forces. The Infantry still remains
the backbone of the attack and the
role Of other arms Is to help 1t reach
the enemy. All must work in CO.
operation to that end. The idea that
the principles of warfare lave chang
ed and that armed contests will be
settled in any other way has moth
ing substantial in our experiences to
warrant serious consideration.
Favors Air Control.
THE Air Service on land should
remain an auxiliary arm and a very
important one in our service. avail
able as now for Independent use in
mass or otherwise wherever neces-
sary, but always under the orders Of
the Commander-in-Chie of tn
Armies. Our Air Service should be
developed to every reasonable ex-
tent both as to personnel and ma
terrell, and it 10 especially necessary
that aircraft production be estab-
lished and maintained on such q basis
as to be easily expanded in time Of
emergency"
as one step to improve Army Air
Service conditions, Gen. Pershing rec
commended the training OF q larger
proportion" of on-commissioned
pilots.
TT was quite frequently stated
during the World War" the report
said, that commissioned pilots
were just as proficient in the me-
chanics of their profession and quite
as likely to follow their leader and
devote their whole time to the exc
cution of their mission as many COM
missioned officers" .--a.
Second among tho Army's needs
Gen. Pershing placed the necessity
Of bringing overseas garrisons to
prescribed strength. To carry out
effectively the Army's mission in
peace times, he said, tho strength OF
the Regular Army should be main
tained at $4,000 officers ana 10000
men.
Reviewing the postwar develop
ment Of tho National Guard. Gen
Pershing found the service to be
"thriving," but recommended that the
sggregatS strength of the Euard be