WIRELESS AND WAR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8206, 2 August 1915, Page 3

WIRELESS AND WAR.

NOT A DOMINANT FACTOR.

Comparatively little (writes an exchange) has been heard of the utilisation of wireless telegraphy in the present campaign, at least no far as the military operations are concerned. This is due to the f,act that in the present stage of the development of the science it is unsuitod to the task. Aeroplanes have been equipped with wireless, but the fact that communication cannot be maintained over a distance exceeding 30 or so miles is a militating feature. Again, the fact must not be overlooked that wireless has not been rendered absolutely secretive. A message despatched from an aeroplane is picked up by every station within range; by friend and foe alike. True, it may be useless to the enemy, being in code; but the foe finds the receipt of the message useful in other ways. In the first place, he is apprised of tho fact that his antagonist is on tho move, and in a certain degree can estimate roughly the approximate distance of the aeroplano. Then there is always the risk of. a coded message being coded, ©specially as experts in cryptography sire retained upon all military staffs for the work. Military strategy has been reduced to such a fine art that it does not pay one side to permit the other to gain the slightest information. Wireless is likely to revoal the approximate position of tho sending station, inasmuch; as the ranges oF portables or mobile stations are pretty generally known. Moreover, this method of 'communication can be rudely upset. Tho foe has < only to transmit n meaningless and continuous jumble of letters or words in rapid suc|cession. These become associated with the actual message, and invariably ; render it indecipherable. All things considered, wireless is one of the scientific wonders which has not established its value as a military asset in the present campaign.