WAR'S HORRORS IMPOSSIBLE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10919, 13 March 1907, Page 5 (Supplement)

WAR'S HORRORS IMPOSSIBLE.

PERFECTION OF THE AEROPLANE MAKES FOR PEACE.

CHEMICAL TERROR.

LONDON, Jan. 26. The Association for the Promotion of Flying, a newly-formed body, will, it is hoped, do much to awaken public interest m the question of aeroplanes, especially as applied to warfare. What may be called a prospectus of the association is eminently peaceful, but there are names among the list of members such as those of Major Baden- • Powell and Colonel Capper, which sug-: gest^that the possibilities of fighting aeroplanes are not overlooked. The as- . sociation, it is expected, will do much to keep the Government alive to the necessity of improving on the experiments m aerial warfare that have been already made. . '"* ■"■ . M. Bellamy, the French inventor of the hydroplane, is strongly of opinion that the perfection of the aeroplane will mean the end of war. "I have a horror of war," he said to an Express representative yesterday, "and that perhaps is why I wish to see the fighting aeroplane perfected, for, believe me, the aeroplane will make war impossible both by sea and land m the very near future. "Personally, I cannot see the necessity of a crew on a fighting aeroplane. The one I am completing will carry two persons, and will at present be propelled by a 55 -h.p. motor. But m actual warfare the second man could be dispensed with. '.''-' ... . "The fighting aeroplane could be directed by one man alone, and should be as light and unencumbered as possible. The second person's place and weight should be used for bombs. •'■ • ■•-. THE. EAGLE'S FLIGHT.' - "The fighting aeroplane would circle m the air after the manner of an eagle, and the .commanding officers of armies could be singled out with certainty, while the ;aeroplane would run little or no risk of being destroyed by any artillery. , ,; "Supposing the first Wmb failed m its purpose, the aeroplane would continue to circle m the air over its prey until it had accomplished its purpose. "I have invented a chemical compound which, I think, could be used with advantage from aeroplanes. It is very light, takes up little space, and could be discharged ;from a ~ light weapon. „. Mr F. L. Rawson, consulting specialist on aeronautics, who steered the Bar-toii-Rawson airship, holds a somewhat, similar -opinion.; j "There is no. doubt," he. said to an Express . representative, "that military airships will largely mitigate the horrors of war. A campaign would probably cost oyer 1000 lives. Although the percentage of ; deathsito the number engaged 'would be increased the deaths would be comparatively painless." . "In my opinion our Dreadnoughts and those being built by Germany will be of no value to either country a few years hence, " Mr Frank Butler said . ; "The warfare of the future will be undoubtedly m the air. A small war airship with a crew carrying high explosives could shatter .an entire fleet. ."Professor Martin has- not, however, taken into account that England, provided the Government wake up to the situation and allow larger grants for experimental purposes at Aldershbt, will be more than a match for Germany m aerial warfare a few years hence. A BIT OF HISTORY. "Professor/ Mar tin may have forgotten the fate which overtook the Spanish Armada. A good storm would probably wreck any aerial fleet long before it -could come within striking distance. "France is undoubtedly ahead of any European country m military aeronautics. The French Government* has recently made . some wonderfully inteisesting experiments m bomb-throwing; from their cigar-shaped steerable airships. "I can see the time coming' when every European country., will keep a fleet of war airships m constant readiness along the whole length of its frontiers. "The Channel tunnel, which m my opinion is bound to be built before another thirty years have passed '"will not be taken into, account at all from a militarypoint of view! /• _ "I have often beeu struck when 'trailing' over .such places as Chatham m my balloon with the ease with which a balloonist can make himself acquainted with the plans of forts and dockyards. . "Ifmake it a point, however, never . to take photographs of such places oh patrioti.es • groundg. '. - - ' "One never knows," Mr Butler added significantly, "into whose hands the : negatives may icome." ; ;