The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-02-26
MITCHELL FEARS
Taught ED AT BY
WAR SECRETARY
Davis Sees u. S. Protected
From Air Attack x Says
One Command Best.
BIZ Times SpecfaI


WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.-Secre-
tary of War Davis is not at all
scared by Col. William MitcheIl's
blood-curdling predictions of death
and destruction from the air which
would be ours in the event war sud-
denly descended upon this country.
Discussing the problem of national
defense, he said:
"a country's defensive plan, as
distinguished from an offensive plan,
is based upon the probable strength
which could be brought against it..
This necessarily varies with differ
ent countries, the geographical fac
tor being an important considera-
ton.
Oceans Protect United States
"This is especially true Of this
country, protected as we are by
broad oceans on both the east and
the west. Such a situation Is par
ticularly important when considering
the danger of an air attack.
"Dr. l.. w. F.. Durand, member
of the advisory committee on aero
nautics and director of the Stanford
aero-dynamics laboratory, stated re-
Gently, according to the papers, that
the maximum range of an airplane
carrying a load of bombs Is 1,20O
miles at present. In his opinion a
plane that will travel 1000 miles car
rying a 4,000-pound bomb may be
developed in time. but anything be-
yond that is nearly impossible.
eff this eminent scientist Is cor"
rect it is evident that to make an
air attack and return an enemy
must seize and hold base within
500 or 900 miles of our coast.
"The Presidents aircraft board
stated 1T seems to be the con-
sensus of expert opinion that the
effective radius of flight for bombing
operations is at present between zoo
and 300 miles In this respect, the
difference between our geographical
situation and that of European ma
tions is obvious. This difference
would naturally affect the size, com
position and organization. Of our air
forces as compared with theirs.
Element of Time
1.-THE element of time is also an
important consideration. An Euro
pean nation might be in danger Of
an air attack within a few minutes
- I'm
no such danger.
Another factor, in dev1sing
war plans, which all military experts
consider of greatest importance, is
the necessity Of unity Of command.
This was the outstanding lesson of
the World War. The Commander
in-Chief should control the air forces
as we'll as the ground forces, and the
air operations which are an essential
part Of the ground operations
should be coordinated with the bat
tie plans for the other units which
constitute the rest of his command
"This is a plain business PROPOSE
ton. Every business enterprise
should have at it's head one supreme
and final authority. The business
man gives to his subord1nates a
considerable measure Of authority
and upon each he places the proper
measure of responsibility. The War
Departments national defense
theory differs in no essential par
ticular from this business-hke
method.
eve must consider the whole de
Tense problem calmly, tkoughtfully
patriotically. The subject is too
important for passion or prejudice
the consequences of mistakes toe
dangerous. Let us have but one
thought in mind: the safety Of our
country, the lives Of our boys in
battle. Other considerations are un-
important; this is all important"