AMERICA I HOYT CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Cornell University Library UG630 .H86 Arise America! olin 3 1924 030 766 772 The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030766772 PARIS HOMES AFTER ZEPPELIN RAIDS. An example of brutal, ruthless aerial bombing. These murder orgies, however, clearly demonstrate what remarkable military value airships will have in future wars when under intelligent operation. ARISE, AMERICA! Feancis R. Hoyt M.S.A.E., A.M.E. Formerly Lieutenant U. S. Air Service 4-^ 4-1 /- 1 \ U.Q, Copyright, 1921 By Francis R. Hoyt, New York. N. Y. ^ (^7 fse (c FOREWORD THE airship has invaded the realm of the bird. It has conquered space, and under human direction has given us a transportation medium which ignores the geography of Nations and Con- tinents. The raiboad with all of its commercial development cannot convey troops and munitions to other Con- tinents in times of war, and the super- dreadnaught, which can perform this duty, is equally unfitted for commercial service in times of peace. Even in combination the two are totally powerless to storm a trench or destroy a munition factory be- hind the enemy lines. The airship is instantly convertible to perform any one or all of these functions in times of war or peace and then at a new standard of speed. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Paris homes after Zeppelin raids Frontispiece "Schwaben," German passenger liner Opposite Page 8 Passenger saloon, "Schwaben" Opposite Page 10 Dining saloon, "Viktoria-Luise".„ Opposite Page 10 British rigid airship R-34 Opposite Page 18 "Bodensee," German passenger liner Opposite Page 28 "Bodensee" taking on passengers Opposite Page 32 First U. S. Naval airship "DN-1" Opposite Page 38 U. S. Naval Airship "CB-2" Opposite Page 88 "Aurora" projected New York-Chicago passenger liner. Opposite Page 42 Arise America AIRSHIP DEVELOPMENT GERMANY first recognized the potential' possibilities of dirigible balloons, and with characteristic German persistence followed them through the vicissitudes of their experimental and development stages, never faltering for an instant to continue and pursue to a conclusion, the work which their early impressions led them to believe would ultimately meet with complete success. Count Zeppelin deserves the credit for making possible the airship of today — whether he was the inventor or whether he plagiarized the idea from the Alsatian Spiess, is neither within our province to determine or of material value to this work. The idea, whether conceived or stolen — be that as it may, has ultimately given us the most versatile system of transport ever devised by man. In 1898 apparently, the idea of constructing a rigid airship of large proportions was conceived by Graf F. von Zeppelin and two engineers, Kober and Kubler. They erected a floating shed for the early construction work on Lake Constance, near Friedrichshafen, Germany. The trials and tribulations of these early ex- periments must have been very distressing to those who pinned their faith on this type of craft. The structural lessons which had to be learned in the attempt to overcome the laws of gravity were undoubtedly productive of many heartaches. The jeers of the other nations of the World were the 6 Arise America only accompaniment to a sportive gust of wind which would suddenly make wreckage of months and years of work. An indomitable purpose, how- ever, carried them on and as in many other great in- ventions, they were just beginning to meet the greatest difl&culties even though a partial success had been achieved. Progress was slow and break- downs were numerous. After several ships had been constructed, and one by one their sponsors saw them meet with destruction — when success seemed reasonably sure to be achieved — came the greatest blow of all, the complete destruction of their last creation — wrecked while attempting a twenty-four-hour endurance test. This plunged Germany into sorrow and afforded unlimited pleasure to the condemniag experts of other nations. In a sense this catastrophe, however, may throw some light on the strained relations then prevailing in European politics. The alacrity with which the German public came to the financial assistance of Count Zeppelin, certainly demonstrated some- thing more than sympathy for the inventor. Within twenty-four hours after the accident, the German Government provided a grant of $125,000 for the continuation of this activity and within a comparatively few days, through volimtary public subscription, a fund of about half a million dollars was placed at Zeppelin's disposal. In three months' time the German Nation supplied him with $1,250,000 for an elaborate program of con- struction. With this money, the airship sheds Arise America were constructed at Friederichshafen, which were soon to become world famous. From information now at hand, it is evident that the poUtical leaders of Germany were preparing for the great war at this time and they saw in the Zeppelin a most powerful ally. There was no greater contributory factor acting to assist German mo- nopoly than the prejudiced critics of other nations who continually discredited the airship. They were thus left virtually alone in the construction of rigid airships which long experience had taught them would ultimately prevail. The theorists and officials of other nations whose skepticism caused them to ridicule these efforts had in most cases never seen a Zeppelin in flight nor had access to accurate data bearing on this subject. In 1909 so much success had been attained that a commercial Zeppelin Service for the transporta- tion of passengers and freight was organized. This being chosen as the best way to determine the efficiency of every minute detail of construction and the daily flights under variable weather con- ditions gave them data and experience for the coming war which could not have been secured in any other manner. The "Delag" Line (Deutsche Luftschiffahrt Aktien-Gesellschaft), Frankfort-on- the-Maia, was established in November, 1909, for this service. Their fleet was made up as follows: Deutschland ( 1910) 21 tons LZ. 6 ( 1908) 18 tons Deutschland II ( 1911) 21 tons Schwaben - -( 1911) 20 tons Arise America Viktoria-Luise ( 1912) 21 tons Hansa ( 1912) 21 tons Sachsen ( 1913) 21 tons OPERATION RECAPITULATION "DELAG" LINE YEAR 1910 1911 1912 1913 TOTAL Number of airships in operation 2 2 3 3 Gross tonnage (total lift) „ 39 41 62 63 Total horse-power .... 690 810 1,080 1,530 Number of days com- missioned 85 106 302 353 Number of voyages 41 158 392 787 1,328 Distance travelled (m) 2,600 12,700 38,000 39,800 88,100 Time travelled 86h. 360h. 982h. l,169h. 2,549h. Number of passen- gers and crews car- ried 868 3,263 8,299 14,010 26,430 Passengers killed.- Passengers injured Co-ordinate with this movement, elaborate and extensive plans were being completed at the Friederichshafen factory for an estimated output of five rigid airships per annum and provisions were made for expansion to greatly increased propor- tions, should it be necessary. At the same time work was going on throughout other parts of Germany, which bore on this general scheme of development. Airship harbors, hangars and air- dromes were being constructed at strategical points on the frontiers, and steps were being taken for the housing of naval airships at Heligoland, Emden and Kiel. From these points in the days to come, airships were destined to start for their raids on England. Another branch of this preparation was the formation of meteorological and aerographical ' " ft Arise America stations and weather bureaus throughout Germany so that special reports for the guidance of aerial pilots were constantly available, thus giving the Germans a mass of useful data for the future. Construction now progressed with methodical effort (and political encouragement) at the Zeppelin works, and the Summer of 1914 saw the completion of the twenty-sixth airship. This same summer also saw the German Socialists growing in numbers the national mood truculent, fearful, uneasy and inflammable. After the successful war of 1870-71, the wealth and industrial power of Germany advanced mar- velously. Their great commercial success coupled with military ardor created an amazing conceit among the German leaders who developed grandi- ose views of their importance in the family of Nations. A great industrial country, Germany must have colonies for producing her own raw materials, but everywhere she turned her eyes, other nations were in possession of the most de- sirable tropical lands. A profitable war would strengthen the Monarchy, justify the great and costly army, secure the needed colonies, and revive the loyalty of the common people. The crime perpetrated at Sarajevo, Servia. The assassination of the Crown Prince of Austria and his consort was neither the direct nor indirect cause of the Great War, but a mere pretext for 10 Arise America loosening the storm which was to sweep over Europe. That any serious result would follow this double tragedy was known to only a few who were working the wires behind the scenes. The Kaiser was on a yachting cruise; President Poincare was taking a holiday; British Squadrons were at Kiel on a friendly visit. Long before the order to mobilize was announced, the German soldier knew that fighting was before him. The army was equipped to the last detail and ready to deal a swift blow when the order came. PASSENGER SALOON, AIRSHIP SCHWABEN DINING SALOON, AIRSHIP VIKTORIA-LUISE. The Viktoria-Luise of the Delag Line made a total of 384 trips and carried 8,134 ^A-T- sengers. With the outbreak of the war she passed into the service of the German Navy. During her passenger career 200 trips were made in 250 days. Arise America 11 WAR THE sword had fallen — Europe was engulfed. Feverish industrial activity on armament and military equipment accompanied the beat of drums and marching feet. Among other things an ac- counting was at last to be taken for the years and money spent in the investigation and development of the Zeppelin. The acid test was to be applied. As if by magic, the Viktoria-Luise, Hansa and Sachsen were transformed into navy personnel training ships. The chartered army and navy Zeppelins in some instances individually and in others as fleets, set forth in the still of night under sealed orders on missions of reconnaissance, observa- tion and destruction. The factories at Friedrich- shafen took on the character of a veritable bee-hive. The general staff carried into execution with precision their plans formulated through years of study, every minute detail working to perfection. In the early stages, the Zeppelin was employed in the capacity of a falcon for aerial scouting. From its incomparable eyes relatively nothing could be hidden. The information which it carried or wire- lessed back to headquarters was of inestimable value. With the ease of a gull it soared over Heligoland and Kiel ever watchful for the British Grand Fleet, which it was later to detect. The aerial ocean was its imcontested right-of-way and property; for, on the declaration of war, August 4, 1914, England found themselves with but three 12 Arise Amebica airships able to take to the air and these were small, of doubtful value and by comparison with the Zeppelin were as the lark to the eagle. England had a fourth airship on order from a German factory but needless to say, it was never delivered. The Zeppelin was master of the skies. The air its dominion. Up to this time, however, it had been operating legitimately. It had not yet become a marauding bird of prey and was giving results commensurate with the intelligence used in its direction. The Zeppelin was being used at this time to help reduce the ability of the enemy to fight back and just in this ratio could it remain of value. When its application was such that through terror or the spirit of revenge, it drove the enemy to fight back with a determination almost bordering on fanaticism; then it became retro- active and a menace to its own sponsors. The Zeppelin of this period was equipped with four Maxim guns and one and a half tons of bombs. They were one of the first arms of the service brought into action and we find them hurled simultaneously both to the Russian and Belgian fronts, where they were employed in the reduction of fortifications as well as reconnaissance work. They were an important factor in the bombard- ments of Antwerp, Warsaw, Nancy, and Libau, and it is definitely known that they participated in the celebrated Jutland Battle and that the German Fleet was assisted in its escape by them. At this stage of the war these monsters of the air Arise America 13 were everywhere, and were practically and stra- tegically engaged. An example of their utility in North Sea patrol work comes to us from at least one British submarine commander who reports an instance where he was submerged seventy-five feet when a Zeppelin located his position and dropped bombs on either side, in front of and behind the undersea craft. The impact of the explosion was sufficient to knock men off of their feet inside of the diver, though it later managed to reach land. Their early participation in actual combat at the front is written in history, for on August 22, 1914, during the bombardment of Nancy, the Z-8, the twenty-third Zeppelin constructed, was shot down by French artillery at Badonviller, Lorraine. And again through the capture of one of these ships at its moorings September 6, 1914, by the Cossacks at Saradz, Kussia. The Z-5, the twentieth Zep- pelin constructed, was shot down by anti-aircraft guns in the bombardment of Warsaw, September 28, 1914. Throughout this period and up to January, 1915, the Zeppelin apparently operated in observation of the tenets of civilized warfare and the balance sheet was decidedly in their favor. Though on December 16, 1914, we observe that they mate- rially aided in the escape of the German flotilla which bombarded Scarborough, England, exact- ing a toll of over one hundred non-combatant men, women and children. Germany declared war on Roumania August 28, 14 Arise America 1916, and Zeppelins bombarded Bucharest the same day. The theory has been exploited in this country that the Zeppelin activity was lessened because the airship proved to be of little value as a military instrument, and in some quarters it has been stated that their use was discontinued. That the rumors of discontinuance either in the operation or construction of Zeppelins are erroneous is proven by their raiding in England as late as the Summer of 1918, and the established fact that during the last eighteen months of the war one Zeppelin was completed every two weeks. The statement that they were of little military value is but the work of propagandists who prefer to shake their fist and denounce an enemy rather than to engage him in combat. The truth must be ac- knowledged and the facts show that until the Zeppelin violated, defiled and desecrated the laws of humanity, it was an instrument of incredible value. ' Its employment for the bombardment of non- combatant cities and towns and the murder of civil populations is but an expression of German perversity and was intended to demoralize and destroy the morale of the English. It was in- augurated at a time when England was straining every nerve to deliver men and guns in France to help stem the German tide and had the effect of holding a large number of troops in England to fight the aerial raiders, and in addition, hundreds Arise America 15 of guns which were badly needed at the front. The force of men held for this purpose (many of whom, of course, could not have been employed as first line men) has been estimated as high as 200,- 000. This bombing in contravention of all ethical and humane principles of warfare had the re- troactive effect on the bombers, however, of incens- ing a virUe race of people to almost superhuman accompUshments not only against the raiders themselves but in every other arm of the service as well. England, who at the signing of the Armistice was destined to have 103 airships in commission, was then employing her fleet (of three) in the convoying of troops across the channel and general patrol duty. The program of aerial construction, which was to place England in first position among the nations in the air, was not begun for the purpose of reprisal or even to combat the enemy by countering with the same weapon as we will presently see, for the early airships constructed by England were quite incapable of engaging a Zep- pelin in combat. The British aeriail program re- ceived its Parliamentary approval on February 28, 1915, and the searchlight of investigation shows that there had actually been only one Zeppelin raid on England at this time, that taking place on January 19, 1915, and was confined to the Norfolk coast (Yarmouth, Kings Lynn, etc.) We must, therefore, look for some other reason for this decision and approval. This is found in the 16 Abise America torpedoing in the North Sea by German sub- marines of three merchant ships on January 30, 1915, and the German decree on February 4, proclaiming a submarine zone around Great Britain and Ireland to become effective February 18. This menace to an island people demanded im- mediate and comprehensive attention. The air- ship alone stood forth as the possible solution. The submarine was intended to disintegrate the kingdom through the process of starvation and the Zeppelin in addition was now launched against England with savage viciousness, in the hope that through ruthless and brutal murder a morale could be destroyed which they had been unable otherwise to effect, which had remained unperturbed through all of the assaults in Flanders. Later, poison gas, a long range gun trained on a civil population and the execution of an angel of mercy (Edith Cavell) were to be added to these. The pages of history fairly run red with accounts of Zeppelin raids on England in the Summer and Fall of 1916. The Germans seemed obsessed with the idea that ultimately these murder orgies must net their instigators some return. The type of Zeppelins now employed showed a marked im*- provement over the early ships, undoubtedly the available genius of Germany had been centred on this activity as each successive Zeppelin shot down showed unmistakable signs of mechanical improve- ment and a more perfect development of armament and bomb-dropping equipment. Arise America 17 As we have pointed out, twenty-six Zeppelins had been completed at the declaration of war. Of these twelve were available, the other fourteen having been wrecked or deleted. From the out- break of the war until April, 1915, the LZ-27, 28, 29 and the L-5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 were completed, each carrying as equipment four Maxim guns and one and a half tons of bombs. The L-11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 each carrying 5 Maxim guns and two tons of bombs were built between July, 1915 and November, 1915. To these types an ad- ditional engine had been added, making four in all, delivering 880 horse-power. The L-20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 driven by 5 engines, de- livering 1,100 horse-power, carrying two 12mm. machine guns on the top, in addition to two Maxim guns on each of the cars and on the bomb chamber, firing broadsides, with a total bomb capacity of 2^ tons, were turned out from November, 1915 to April, 1916. From May, 1916 until the end of the year, the L-30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 were built and commissioned. These ships were equipped with three 12mm. machine guns, 6 Maxim guns and sixty bombs weighing 3^ tons. Here again an additional engine had been added, giving a total of 1320 h. p. During the Summer and Fall of 1916, we read of continued Zeppelin raids on England, occurring with intervals sometimes of only one day in which ten, twelve, and occasionally fourteen airships participated. 18 Arise America England was now producing non-rigid airships at an amazing rate and employing them wisely and profitably. The patrols which they carried out over the North Sea, and their unceasing sub- marine vigil in convoy work is as yet an imwritten page of history, but one which will forever stand out replete with adventure, success, and surprise. September 24, 1916, stands forth as the most important day in the history of Rigid airships in Great Britain, for on this day anti-aircraft bat- teries disabled the Zeppelin L-33 while engaged on a raid over London. She attempted the return voyage to Germany over the North Sea but had to turn back and was forced to land in Essex. The crew surrendered after setting fire to the great airship. Without extraordinary effort we can visualize the processes which were to follow, the interroga- tion of the crew and an immediate application of the British yardstick. Fortunately only the fabrics and non-fireproof parts could biu-n leaving the great frame structure more or less intact. This the authorities promptly reinforced to prevent collapse or destruction and placed a heavy guard over it. Needless to say there was a substantial revision in English airship plans and a general revamping in accordance with the practice ex- hibited in this latest German conception which had only been constructed about six weeks when it met with its delivery into the Allies' hands. Prompt action was taken by the British authorities and ■ ^ ^-5 s? A RISE America 19 approval was granted in November, 1916, for the immediate construction of the British rigid air- ships R-33 and 34. As they emerge for their trial flights in the Spring of 1918, we recognize a simi- larity between the R-33 and L-33 almost as identical as the type number itself, though innumerable im- provements had been added. While this construction was proceeding in Eng- land, Germany zealously wrought new and greater types more heavily armored, faster and with lifting capacities increased as high as 58%. As another refutation of statements that Zeppelin construction was discontinued, it may be mentioned that while England was constructing two airships, the E.-33 and 34 on two slips, in two separate organizations respectively, Armstrong, Whitworth, Ltd., and Beardmore-on-the-Clyde, the Germans constructed 30 airships on four slips. The 11-33 and 34 un- fortimately were not commissioned until after the signing of the Armistice. That they would have rendered an excellent account of themselves will immediately be recognized when the perfor- mance of the E,-34 which will be described later is considered. A page in history of intense human interest as well as of consequence to this review is the trip of the German Zeppelin L-57 from its base in Jamboli, Bulgaria, to Portuguese East Africa, carry- ing a crew of 22 men and 20 tons of ammunition and medical supplies, which was imdertaken for the definite purpose of relieving Col. von Lettow- 20 Arise America Vorbeck and transporting him to Germany in order that his abilities might be utiUzed in fields of greater consequence. Col. von Lettow- Vorbeck had been in command of the German and Native troops in East Africa from the outbreak of the war. At no time did he have a large force, relying principally on a relatively few German oflficers and a force of Native soldiers loyal to Germany, or to the loot and plunder which they received from filibustering ex- peditions. Col. von Lettow-Vorbeck was driven from pillar to post but always reappeared at the head of a fighting force. He received absolutely no assistance from Germany or the outside, yet he managed to keep his force loyal and in fighting trim, although each additional engagement saw them greatly reduced in number. The campaign in Africa was a form of gorilla warfare. They would strike at some unexpected point where the Allies were weak and effect a raid retreating with such supplies, equipment and ammunition as could be captured. Arrangements had been carefully made in ad- vance for his escape and transportation to Ger- many. Col. von Lettow-Vorbeck himself desig- nating the landing place for the rescuing Zeppelin which was in constant touch with him through a high powered wireless station. But just before the scheduled arrival of the Zeppelin, the radio station and the landing place were captured by the British forces. Having been warned of the capture as a last message by the wireless station Arise America 21 and now being out of touch with Col. Vorbeck, the big airship was forced to retrace its flight and return to its base which it successfully accomplished after having negotiated a 5,500-mile non-stop journey at an average speed of 57 miles per hour. The Zeppelin's course from Bulgaria was across the Mediterranean, south between the Suez Canal and the River Nile to the Red Sea, thence over it, down the west African coast to Portuguese East Africa (Mozambique). The British had been apprised of the proposed trip, but the L-57 eluded aU pursuit. It was observed crossing the Medit- erranean and was seen over Cairo, Khartoum and Lake Victoria Nyanza. It is believed that the return trip was made largely over Central Africa as it was sighted there several times, crossing over the Mediterranean this time, keeping to the left of the Nile and presumably steering by compass, the return journey was over an entirely different route from the original trip. , The intrepid gallantry of his struggle, regardless of its motives, entitles this officer to a few words in this or any other account which may have reason to mention his name. Clause 17 of the Armistice related to him exclusively and permitted him one month in which to surrender. When encountered and given this information he surrendered to General Edwards at Abercorn, November 25, 1918. He and his remaining officers were allowed to retain their swords, and his men to carry their arms as far as Dar-es-Salem. Arise America The war was drawing to a rapid close. The directors of the Zeppelin campaign had through their own mistakes abrogated every claim of the Zeppelin to effectiveness. Its chief value now was as a news medium in assuaging adverse military reports at home with tales of murder and de- capitation in Britain. ZEPPELIN RAIDS ON ENGLAND 1915. Jan. 19 Apr. 14 Apr. 15 Apr. 29 Apr. SO May 10 May 17 May 26 May 31 June 4 June 6 June 15 Aug. 9 Aug. 12 Aug. 17 Sept. 7 Sept. 8 Sept. 11 Sept. 13 Oct. 13 1916. Jan. Mar. Mar. Mar. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. May July July Aug. Aug. Aug. Town or Diitrict East Coast (Yarmouth, King's Lynn).. Ipswich „ Lowestoft E. Coast (Ipswich) „.. Lowestoft Southend Ramsgate Southend— London East Coast East Coast N. E. Coast East Coast East Coast East Counties East Counties London East Coast , 0£E East Coast London and East Counties Kent, Essex, etc Kent, Essex, etc East and South East Counties.. E. and N. E OFFICIALLY REPORTED KUled 4 24 16 13 6 10 17 20 60 E. Counties, N. E. and Middle' ds 67 N. E. and E Driven off Coast Essex and N. E. Counties N. E Scotland and N. E N. E Norfolk and Suffolk. Kent Coast N. E. and S. E. of Scotland.. Yorks, etc... Injured 9 1 1 1 2 3 40 40 12 23 36 39 86 115 67 117 18 52 43 66 16 100 11 11 1 8 — 1 27 36 Arise America 23 ZEPPELIN RAIDS ON ENGLAND— Continued OFFICIALLY REPORTED 1916. Town or District Killed Injured Aug. 24 E. Counties and London 8 21 Sept. 2 E. Counties and Kent.__ S 12 Sept. 23 E., S. E.. and London-_ 38 125 Sept. 25 S. and E. Coast_ 36 27 Oct. 1 E. Coast and Lines 1 1 Nov. 27 N. E. Coast 4 37 1917. Mar. 17 Kent May 24 E. Anglia. 1 June 16 Kent Coast— 2 18 Aug. 22 Yorks, Coast Sept. 24 Yorks and Lines 3 Oct. 19 E., N. E., and London 35 55 1918. Mar. 12 Yorks 1 Mar. IS DurhanL__ 8 39 Apr. 12 Lin., Lan., Warw 7 20 499 1,184 Arise America 25 PEACE WITH the signing of the Armistice, November 11, 1918, Germany's aeronautical obituary was written at least temporarily. One of the orig- inal entrants for Supremacy of the Air being thus eliminated, the far-seeing of the AUies immedi- ately entered into competition (ostensibly friendly) for that coveted possession. The English airships E,-33 and R-34 promptly made their maiden bow and were placed in com- mission by the Admiralty with a ceremony be- fitting these Leviathans of the air. After numerous trial flights and manoeuvers, satisfactorily ex- ecuted, the E,-34 was lent by the Admiralty to the Civil Aviation Department of the Air Ministry, which it is worth noting had been created at this early date), for the purpose of demonstrating to their own satisfaction the feasibility of crossing the Atlantic by air. This aerial dreadnaught, 645 feet long, contain- ing 2,000,000 cu. ft. of hydrogen gas enclosed in 19 separate and non-intercommunicating com- partments, could lift sixty tons into the air by reason of her own buoyancy. She was propelled by five Sunbeam "Maori" engines of 270 horse- power each, a total of 1350 horse-power, capable of driving her at speeds in excess of sixty miles per hour. A preliminary or test flight was con- ducted in advance of the transatlantic voyage, just a little spin when considered in airship terms of 26 Arise America endurance. This run was made over the North Sea taking in the German coast and the Baltic, lasting 56 hours during which 2400 miles were covered. She was now considered ready for the great adventure which was destined to be as unique to us as the first transatlantic crossing by a steam vessel, the Savannah, in 1819, just 100 years before, was to the world of that day. The big airship started on its voyage from East Fortune, near Edinborough, Scotland, 1:48 A. M. (G.M.T.)*, Wednesday, July 2, 1919, and landed at Mineola, L. I., 2 P. M. (G.M.T.) , July 6, 108 hours or 4J days later in which 3600 statute miles had been covered. The weather was un- favorable throughout practically the entire voyage, the sea and sky being visible only on rare occasions. For 30 consecutive hours she battled with a storm requiring the use of all of her engines, and again when over Newfoundland found herself in an area of violent thunder storms and electrical dis- turbances which necessitated a long detour. She was, however, at no time out of wireless com- munication and reached her destination none the worse for the aerial battering. On July 10 at 3 :54 A. M. (G.M.T.) she began the return voyage to Pulham St. Mary, Norfolk, England, where she arrived at 6:57 A. M. July 13, 1919, covering 3450 statute miles, at a speed which at times ex- ceeded 83 miles per hour, though only employing four of the five engines. The "Official Log" of •Greenwich Mean Time. Arise America 27 General Maitland, Commander of the big airship, gives us an interesting insight into aerial travel and by comparison with a surface vessel demon- strates what we may expect in the universally PREFERRED METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION OF THE NOT FAR DISTANT FUTURE. The "Log" Under date of July 10, states : "Wind, 40 knots, S. S. W., sea very rough. It is difficult from above to measure the height of waves, but it is easy to see that in a very heavy sea like this, surface ships would be having an extremely bad time. Up here we are as steady as a rock and unless one looks out of the windows, we would hardly realize we were traveling at all." A few months later, the R-33, sister-ship of the R-34, took a day's outing in the form of a pleasure cruise over Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, LiUe, LaBasee, Ypres, Armentieres, and a few other points of interest on the former British front in France, publishing a newspaper while en route. Needless to say this was the first aerial daily. While the 11-34 was on its history -making trans- atlantic voyage, the German Assembly was reluct- antly ratifying the Treaty of Versailles, the air clauses of which reads as follows: Section III— AIR CLAUSES. Article 198 — ^The armed forces of Germany must not include any military or naval air forces. Germany may, during a period not ex- tending beyond October 1, 1919, maintain a maximum number of one hundred seaplanes or flying boats, which shall be exclusively employed in searching for submarine mines, shall be furnished with the necessary equipment for this purpose, and shall in no case carry arms, munitions or bombs of any nature whatever. In addition to the engines installed in the seaplanes or flying boats above mentioned, one spare engine may be provided for each engine of each of these craft. No dirigible shall be kept. 28 Arise America Article 199 — Within two months from the coming into force of the present Treaty the personnel of air forces on the rolls of the German land and sea forces shall l>e demobilised. Up to October 1, 1919, how- ever, Germany may keep and maintain a total number of one thousand men, including officers, for the whole of the cadres and personnel, flying and non-flying, of all formations and establishments. Article 200 — Until the complete evacuation of German territory by the Allied and Associated troops, the aircraft of the Allied and Associated Powers shall enjoy in Germany freedom of passage through the air, freedom of transit and of landing. Article 201 — During the six months following the coming into force of the present Treaty, the manufacture and importation of aircraft, parts of aircraft, engines for aircraft, and parts of engines for aircraft, shall be forbidden in all German territory. Article 202 — On the coming into force of the present Treaty, all military and naval aeronautical material, except the machines men- tioned in the second and third paragraphs of Article 198, must be de- livered to the Governments of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers. Delivery must be effected at such places as the said Govern- ments may select, and must be completed within three months. In particular, this material will include all items under the following heads which are or have been in use or were designed for warlike purposes: Complete aeroplanes and seaplanes, as well as those being manufac- tured, repaired or assembled. Dirigibles able to take the air, being manufactured, repaired or assembled. Plant for the manufacture of hydrogen. Dirigible sheds and shelters of every kind for aircraft. Pending their delivery, dirigibles will, at the expense of Germany, be maintained inflated with hydrogen; the plant for the manufacture of hydrogen, as well as the sheds for dirigibles, may, at the discretion of the said Powers, be left to Germany until the time when the dirigibles are handed over. Engines for aircraft. Nacelles and fuselages. Armament (guns, machine guns, light machine guns, bomb-dropping apparatus, torpedo-dropping apparatus, synchronization apparatus, aiming apparatus). Munitions (cartridges, shells, bombs loaded or unloaded, stocks of explosives or of material for their manufacture). Instruments for use on aircraft. Wireless apparatus and photographic or cinematograph apparatus for use on aircraft. Component parts of any of the items under the preceding heads. The material referred to above shall not be removed without special permission from the said Governments. This ingenious instrument is cleverly designed to secure the complete disarmament of a militaris- tic race for the prevention of future aggression or war. It has also been ingeniously extended from time to time as a result of alleged violations and infractions, the last action taking place at the recent Paris Conference. The accompanying document sets out the German infringements of u-^ 1 £ - I O — 1 "^ t K-ia Arise America 29 the clauses of the Versailles Treaty, and gives the various dates by which compliance is demanded, June 30, 1921, being the latest date allowed. AERIAL CLAUSES ItifTingemenis L Germany has not surrendered all the aeroplanes, hydro-aero- planes, motors, balloons, hangars (to be dismantled, destroyed, des- patched, or delivered (out of the country), balloon accessories, wire- less telegraph and photograph equipment, hydrogen factories and reservoirs, machine-guns and other aeronautical material (Article 202). It may be noted with regard to the most important of this material there remain to be surrendered, in accordance with certain estimates, 1,400 aeroplanes and 5,000 engines. II. Since July 10. 1920, Germany has recommenced aeronautical manufacture in spite of the decision taken by the Allied (governments at Boulogne on June 22, and she has attempted to export the material 80 manufactured in spite of the formal orders of the Commission of Control (Article 201). III. (Germany has refused to furnish the compensation demanded by the Allies for the seven (7) Zeppelins destroyed in 1919 (Article 202). IV. Germany has not yet paid the sum of 25,000,000 marks still due as compensation for material improperly exported (Article 202). V. (Germany claims to have the right to utilize aircraft in her police formations (Article 19S). DECISIONS OF THE ALLIED GOVERNMENTS I. The search for hidden material will be facilitated by the German Government, and the surrender provided for by Article 202 shall be finished before May 15, 1921. II. C^many shall assure the execution of the decision of Boulogne, i.e., no manufacture or import of aeronautical material shall take place until three months after the date on which the I.A.A.C.C. shall declare that Article 202 has been completely complied with. III. Germany must furnish the compensation demanded for the destruction of Zeppelins; the detail of such compensation will be fixed by a special contract. IV. Germany must pay the sum of 25,000,000 marks referred to above before March 31. 1921. V. Germany shall conform to decision C.A. 91-III of the Conference of Ambassadors, dated November 8, 1920, regarding the prohibition of the use of aircraft in police formations. In addition, with a view to ensuring the application of Article 198 of the Treaty forbidding Germany to possess any military or naval aviation, CJermany shall accept the definitions established by the Allied Powers which shall distinguish civil aviation from military avia- tion forbidden by Article 198. The Allied C^vernments shall assure themselves by constant supervision that (jermany is fulfilling this obligation. The Allies have repeatedly made allowances for the difificulties ex- perienced by the German Government in carrying out its Treaty obli- gations. They are now giWng a further extension of time, but they 30 Arise Amebica sincerely trust the German Government will not render it necessary for the Allies, confirming their previous decision, to consider the grave situation which will arise if Germany further persists in her default. Of the benefits which accrue to the victors, the disarmament of the enemy is only one phase. An almost inexhaustible supply of technical data and scientific research work is automatically transferred from the archives of Germany to the files of the Allies, and the equipment, airships, hangars, hydrogen plants, etc., acquired are of tremendous extrinsic and intrinsic value. So great are these values in fact, that the nations represented on the various Inter-Allied Commissions of Control are untiring in their efforts to secure the lion's share for themselves. Thus a joint military victory has provided a vast stock of material for disposal. And behold, a chosen few constitute themselves a clearing house and the apportionment begins. The treaty reads that the material must be delivered to the Prin- cipal Allied and Associated Governments. Are we then to infer that we (the United States) are not one of the Principal Governments? It would seem so from the fact that we have received no share of these invaluable spoils; the very instru- ments of war which made aggression by the Ger- mans possible — the very instruments and devices which we entered the war to destroy and suppress are now indiscriminately hocked around between European nations for their study and use (perhaps at a later time against us) and we are not permitted to even gain information from "the temporary Arise America 31 loan of a sample." A glance at the World War participants' debt to us rather inclines us to think we are a principal nation. Great Britain owes United States $4,277,000,000 France 3,048,000,000 Italy 1,620,000,000 Belgium 344,000,000 Russia 188,000,000 Czecho-Slovakia 55,000,000 Greece ...-. 43,000,000 Roumania 25,000,000 Servia 27,000,000 $9,627,000,000 And in addition we would be traitors to those brave American boys now lying in France if we accepted any other definition of our status. Dr. Hugh Eckener, Director of the Zeppelin Company, states that "all of the Principal Allied Nations received one or more Zeppelins except America as they had failed to join the Rep- arations Committee of the League of Nations." That council of nine members (upon which we could have but one vote), the majority of whom have more interests in common than in the United States, with Great Britain, France, Italy and Japan dominating the council and consequently specifying among other things, the size of our army and navy. The people answered this question in the national elections in November with the most overwhelming "No" ever heard in the history of American politics. However, Dr. Eckener is Arise America correct, each of the League members have given themselves one or more ZeppeHns, and the division of the spoils continues. From reports issued so far, Zeppelins have been allocated as follows: England has received the Zeppelins L-64 and L-71. Italy the L-61 and L- 120, now the Ansonia which bombed London 3 times, Paris 4 times and took part in many smaller raids. France, the L-72, which was built to bomb New York. Belgium has received one Zeppelin, while Japan has cleverly commenced to disas- semble under the supervision of German and Japanese mechanics, one of the Zeppelins assigned to her so far. When this is complete it will be shipped to Japan (probably by airship) to be re- assembled there for the education and training of Japanese personnel. Two large airship hangars at Juterbog near Berlin are also being torn down for shipment to Japan where they will be re-erected with the assistance of German Engineers on the aerodromes of Tokorozwa and Kagamigahora. Japan expects to receive an additional Zeppelin now at Seddin, Pomerania. It is also offi- cially ANNOUNCED THAT THIRTY BRITISH NaVAL Aviators are being organized into an "unof- ficial" MISSION BY British authorities to in- struct Japanese officers in the science of aeronautics and aircraft construction. A French aviation mission headed by 17 oflficers and non-commissioned officers went to Japan in 1920. Arise America 33 Our Allies console with us in our inability to have Zeppelins because of our failure to join their League, and at the same time energetically use it against us by forbidding the export from Ham- burg of eleven aU-metal Junker planes which we ordered many months ago. Our Government's protest against this arbitrary action of the Allies has had no effect in having these airplanes released which have been lying in the harbor of Hamburg for a long time. As a result of the peace treaty which we made possible, we are prohibited from purchasing that which our late Allies confiscate. Nor has this practice been confined to this one case. We read from the annual Report of the Director of the Air Service of the United States, Major- General Charles T. Menoher as follows: PURCHASE OF RIGID AIRSHIP During this fiscal year the Air Service failed in an attempt to secure the latest type of rigid airship. This project arose from the investiga- tions performed by a representative of the ^ir Service who was sent to various European countries to investigate the airship situation. This representative first attempted to secure the German airship L-72. This ship, the largest in existence, was built during the war for the pur- pose of bombing New York City. The German Government interposed no objections to the sale of this ship, but it was found that the purchase was impossible because this airship had been allotted to another country under the terms of the treaty of Versailles. Negotiations were then entered into with the Zeppelin Airship Co. for the construction of the LZ-125, with dimensions as follows: Length, 774 feet 3.5 inches; width, 98 feet; height. 111 feet. The gas capacity was to be 3,-')31,660 cubic feet, which would furnish a disposable lift of 69 tons. A cruising radius of 12,000 miles and a maximum speed of 91 miles per hour were promised. It was planned that its construction should be undertaken as soon as the provisions of the treaty of Ver- sailles would permit German manufacturers to engage in aeronautical construction. Because of the low late of exchange the cost of this air- ship would have been only $500,000, which would have included the training in Germany of an American crew to fly the airship to the United States. The Air Service was informed that the existing status of our relations with the German Government would not permit the con- summation of this project 34 Arise America Restiveness is very conspicuous in Germany as a result of the Treaty but to consider that they are idle is a vagary of the mind. The instant the restrictions are removed, we will find them every- where competing for supremacy of the Air. Utter- ances of various Zeppelin Directors demonstrate this, and more than all else, right under the noses of the Allied Commissions so to speak, they con- structed and put into operation the first of a series of special airships building for a continuation of the former service — operated by the "Delag Line" before referred to, in conjunction with the Ham- burg-Amerika Line. This first airship, called the "Bodensee," is a small rigid type ship with a gas capacity of 700,000 cubic feet, 400 feet in length and 61 feet in diam- eter. It has four 260 horse-power engines giving a total of 1,040 horse-power. There are two wing cars, each containing one engine and propeller, with a third car aft carrying two engines, both driving the same propeller. At full power she has a nominal speed of 75 miles per hour, carries 30 passengers, and has made the voyage from Berlin to Friedrichshafen in 4 hours, an average speed of 94 mUes per hour. The fare for the distance of 375 miles from Berlin to Friedrichshafen is 400 marks (on pre-war exchange equivalent to $80.00 and at present ex- change about $10.00. Baggage up to 30 lbs. is carried free, and excess is charged at the rate of 2 marks per pound. Mails and urgent telegrams Arise America 35 are carried. During the suspension of German railway traffic in November, 1919, over one ton of mail was carried daily. The Bodensee is capa- ble of carrying 6 tons of passenger load at full speed for 12 hours, or a total of 900 miles. The Bodensee was in commission sixty-five days before the Inter-Allied Control Commission sup- pressed the service. During those sixty-five days she made 64 trips on regular schedule and without mishap or annoyance of any kind. In fact, so successful was the service, that a second or sister ship, the Nordstern, was rushed through to com- pletion. She was never put into commission as a result of an Allied ultimatum. These ships are now held pending their assignment to one or another of the Allied countries. England and France have both registered demands for them. It will be interesting to see how the Commission votes. The Chairman for the present, by the way, is an Englishman. Thus does Germany, even in spite of the Treaty restrictions, attempt to re-establish herself in the air. RISE America S7 PREPAREDNESS AND FUTURE WARS. WHILE all of the large nations of the world are straining every fibre of their national system to maintain a highly perfected program of prepared- ness, we in America are literally engulfed by dis- armament propaganda, disarmament rumors and disarmament proponents and exponents. These insidious proposals assume a variable character from time to time and immediately upon the fail- ure of one method of attack, are instantly renewed under a disguised presentation. At the present time we are coping with several such movements, under the popular designations of "Disarmament," "Limitation of Armaments," "Aircraft vs. Battle- ship" and "Naval Holiday." These are made to order for the insect pacifist and the over-zealous exponent of some one particular arm of the service, who cannot temper zeal with reason. No argu- ment at this time for aircraft at the expense of any other branch of the service should be entertained. Let us have battleships — they are necessary for their specific requirements. Let us have cavalry — would anyone argue to dispense with this arm of the service because it was of little use in the late war? Who is it that distorts these vital issues when they arise ? Why debate Aircraft vs. Battleships? Why not Aircraft and Battleships? When the question of aircraft comes up, whosoever pits it against any one specific thing or another to the exclusion of one or the other — ^preaches sedition, for he weakens both. 38 Arise America Some may argue that aircraft could prevent naval attacks on our country — but who could be found to argue that battleships could prevent aerial attack? The root of these controversies is invariably found to originate outside of the shores of America and is carefully prepared for American consumption. They are but the chi- canery of foreign nations to acquire or maintain an advantage. At a recent session of the League of Nations, one of the Belgian delegates, Senator Henri La Fontaine, most wisely stated that before the world could disarm, "entirely different ideas from those that prevailed before the war must be inculcated and applied. It is necessary to say frankly to the people that the time for disarmament has not yet come." And this was about the conclusion of the League of Nations itself. Although they some- what disguised it by referring the matter in its entirety to committees for report at the Sep- tember session. What their report will be was foreshadowed the instant of their appointment. The incoherent political babbling and vociferous debate which inevitably accompanies the majority of these ridiculous proposals generally accomplishes nothing and often precipitates some extremely embarrassing remark or action which lowers our dignity before the other nations of the world. An excellent illustration is afforded in the recent Air- craft-Battleship discussion in Washingtbn, when Secretary of the Navy Daniels said: "If General FIRST U. S. NAVAL AIRSHIP DN-I /( was not until several days after the declaration of war by the United States on Germany that our Navy came into possession of its first airship. The DN-i suc- cessfully underwent its trial flights at Pensacola, Florida, April, IQ17. The con- structors of the DN-l are now preparing to operate rigid-airships between New York and Chicago in commercial passenger transportation This service will be under the management of the parent company, the Aircraft Construction-Trans- portation Corporation. S NAVAL AIRSHIP CB-2 At the outbreak of the war, the U. S. Government ordered a great many of this type of airship for coast patrol work. The Goodyear and Goodrich Companies who have now retired from airship construction, built a number of these during that period. Akise America 39 Mitchell doesn't handle bombs any more accurately than he handles facts, I should be perfectly willing to let him bomb me all day long." This unbecom- ing remark was intended to blight into nothingness by its cutting sarcasm the value of General Mitchell's experience gained on the battlefields of France (not at a desk in Washington) expressed for the benefit of our nation. And all because it did not coincide with the Secretary's views and reacted against the club which has been wielded over the taxpayer by the late administration of "join the LEAGUE OF NATIONS OR TAKE THE CONSEQUENCES — ^AND BATTLESHIPS ARE $40,000,000 EACH." To resort to metaphor, we are of the opinion that if Secretary Daniels offered as large a target for bombs as he does for criticism for this exhibition of wit. General Mitchell would hit the Secretary (at his desk) even though he released his bomb over China. We are constantly reminded of the fact that England is discontinuing her battleship program, and constructive measures are held up here due to the befogging of issues through over-zealous cham- pions using this argument in favor of one arm of the service at the expense of another. In reality instead of complicating matters this action of the British should simplify them. The battleship is impressive on review, popular with the contractor, and awe-inspiring at manoeuvers, but an aerial ocean can only be kept inviolate by aircraft and then with an adequate force. 40 Arise America England has done more than discontinue battle- ships; she has dismantled three of the latest type which were well under construction, and altogether has scrapped some six hundred war vessels to date. Why? Because, for one reason she emerged from the war with a preponderance of warships, and will continue in control of the seas without building, no matter how fast we construct for several years to come. But the vital question, the one England is earnestly considering is to what extent will the Control of the Seas be vested in battleship suprem- acy? Will not the nation Control the Seas who controls the air and the dominions under the sea? Is Great Britain preparing to relinquish that century-old control or does she see the handwriting on the wall? Let us examine her aerial program and that of the other principal nations. Perhaps Marshall Foch was right in his recent utterance that "Future wars will he fought in the air and under the seas." England is today launched on the greatest aerial program the world has ever known. She is spend- ing one hundred million dollars annually on air- craft, and is directing every energy and activity on a sound businesslike basis, cleverly avoiding undue publicity, at all times operating with the dexterity of a magician; attracting attention by flagrant exposure to a valueless activity, to obscure the vital issue. An extremely clever move has just been consummated in the transfer of England's entire airship fleet, today the largest in the world, Arise America 41 from the Royal Air Force to the Civil Aviation Department of the Air Ministry. This closely parallels the pre-war Zeppelin strategy in Ger- many for disguising aerial preparedness on a large scale. All airships in commission and all now building are included in this transfer. Thus the German trophies, the L-64 and L-71 become Eng- lish commerce carriers, as well as the new British R-80, the true stream-line, high speed, height- climbing creation. It is also announced that the sister ships, the R-36 and R-37 will shortly com- mence commercial operation between England and the Near East. These airships are equipped in the most modern fashion for long distance passenger accommodation. Last, but not least, England today controls over 90% of the world's oil resources. This has a very direct bearing on the Supremacy of the Air. France today is substantially a dependent nation, yet they are embarked on an aerial program which in its proportions can only be described as colossal, representing as it does 500,000,000 francs or $100,000,000 at normal exchange. Italy who before the World War was the second nation in the world in airship production, remains today second, though this time to England and is constructing on a larger scale than ever. Japan who was unheard of in aerial circles be- fore the war is among the most active today, and while buying aircraft openly in all of the markets, England, France, Italy and America, is secretly 42 Aeise America planning extensive native operations and con- struction. Very ingeniously indeed was their last year's aerial appropriation of $200,000,000 specified to cover a seven-year program, but even more craftily was it expended in one year's time. Next year's appropriation will be even greater. The United States House Committee on Ap- propriations has finally allowed $19,200,000 for our military aviation program for next year. General Mitchell's request of $60,000,000 being thus re- duced, though it was less than the cost of two battleships, and about one-half the appropriation of any other nation. American citizens, I ask the plain, simple, fundamental question. Can we afford to treat aerial preparedness with this lethargic attitude? And offer for the consideration of skeptics the following illustrations of errors of judgment in military matters in the past! First: A few years ago we considered aircraft a plaything — a mere toy. Yet the Allies' ultimate supremacy in the air made possible the final victory over the "Hun." While in commerce last year, in the United States, the Aerial Mail Service flew nearly three-quarters of a million miles and carried 100,000,000 letters or one for each person in the United States. Nearly 500,000 miles were flown in the Forest Fire Patrol Service and 1456 forest fires were detected. Accomplishments in Europe too numerous to mention, and the great Atlantic Ocean thrice bridged by aircraft, once by ■ft,o M H 5 "^ o ^ -^ ^ s ^'5 ; o .S g V, ■^ "-i ■-, ■gSS I CO _g,'3-« ft, 5= t ^^ r IS 1 & I *" Arise Ame r i c a 43 each of the existing types, the airship making the round trip journey. Second: That practically all naval oflScers, French, British, Italian, American and Japanese imderestimated the submarine before the war demonstrated what it could accomplish. Upon reviewing the submarine menace we find that whUe Germany never had more than thirty sub- marines adrift at any one time, operated by less than 1,500 men, that her total submarine force consisted of only 10,000 men — ^that opposed to this diminutive force the combined navies of France, England, Italy, Japan and America representing over 1,000,000 men together with 6,000 anti- submarine craft operated daily; and yet the sub- marine nearly won the war through the starvation of England. For the first time in the history of the world it is now possible to attack the seats of government, the civil population and the vital industries of an enemy nation without first decisively defeating an army or navy in battle. The horrors which we have experienced in the past war will be echpsed and in an inconceivably more hideous form in future wars. For war is no longer a matter of army against army, navy against navy. Future wars apparently will be waged without mercy on the citizen, his wife, his family, his home, his property and death and destruction wiU be dealt in wholesale fashion by new inventions of rival governments. Aeijal at- 44 Arise America tacks on political and industrial centers will outdo in "frightfulness" the most sordid specula- tions of depraved terrorists. Lethal aircraft will carry war into the enemies' country to obliterate industry, wreck the nerve centers and destroy the morale of the civil population. Not a pleasant thought and perhaps one in which we do not concur, but we must face the facts. The frontispiece shows the destruction wrought in the homes of citizens on Rue Geoflfroy-Marie, Paris, by German air raiders on June 8, 1918. This devastation was wrought by a bomb weighing only two hundred and twenty pounds. The American Air Service today has bombs of 1100 pounds, the French 2350 pounds and the British 3200 pounds, almost large enough to wipe out a city. A modern aerial bomb will be charged with about one ton of amatol and T.N.T. as against 29 pounds in the latest 14- inch armor-piercing naval shell, and about 90 pounds in the aerial bomb which wrought the havoc men- tioned above. And a large modern airship can cross the ocean with about thirty of these 3200-pound bombs. The bomb of the future in addition will be suited for its specific use, fragmentation, delayed action fuse, armor piercing, poison gas, liquid poison, etc. Nations will easily be deluged from the air with tons of phosphogene gas dealing agony and death. And the new liquid poison announced by the Chemical Warfare Service leaves little to the imagination. Arise America 45 The following description of this liquid has just appeared: The Chemical Warfare Service has discovered a liquid poison so strong that three drops will kill anyone whose skin it touches. Falling like rain from nozzles at- tached to airships the liquid would kill everything in the aircraft's path. Description of what the new war weapon would do, in the opinion of an official, follows: "One machine carrying two tons of the liquid could cover an area 100 feet wide by seven miles long in one trip and could deposit enough material to kill every man in that area, and if those on the ground were not pro- tected by gas masks, the area of fatality would be many times greater. "The only limit to the quantity of this liquid which could be made is the amount of available electric power, as nearly every nation has practically an unlimited supply of the necessary raw materials. It would be entirely possible for this country to manufacture several thousand tons a day if the necessary plants were built. "During the Argonne offensive the entire first American Army of 1,250,000 men occupied an area approximately forty kilometers long by twenty kilo- meters wide. If Germany had had 4,000 tons of this material and four airships equipped for its distribution, the entire First Army could have been an- nihilated in twelve hours. •"The Chemical Warfare Service is developing protective clothing to en- tirely cover the wearer and make him impervious to the deadly liquid," Substantially the only attempts being made in America today to accelerate aerial preparedness and establish our national security from possible future aerial invasion, are treated lightly both by *Let us hope that clothing stores will carry these suits for the citizen. 46 Arise America the government and through ignorance of possible eventualities by the public. Our army and navy experts who know by experience, investigation and study, the seriousness of this problem are not in a position unfortunately to force their recommenda- tions through the legislative bodies. And the individuals who plead and work for this attain- ment are in a sad minority. The general public is not yet sufficiently informed of the accom- plishments of aircraft to lend the collective effort necessary to governmental activity. A few red-blooded American institutions are heroically exploiting aerial enterprises and con- secrating their time, energy and money to this cause, their efforts are meeting with results but with the proper public realization of this vital question, their industry, vision and patriotism will be rewarded both financially and in a higher category as "national benefactors." It is incumbent upon all American citizens to endorse, assist and aid in every way possible those who are constructively working for American Supremacy in the Air. We should support with our patronage aerial transportation lines, for these companies and the employees and industry which they support are the nucleus crews, ships and FACTORIES FOR NATIONAL DEFENCE IN TIMES OF WAR. As a means of transportation the airship today stands as the safest method known to man. There is no reservation or qualification to this statement. Today the airship stands 100 per cent, safe in com- Arise America 47 mercial passenger transportation, for in spite of the thousands of passengers who have been carried by this iuedium — there has never been a fatality to date. The pacifist who argues that we will have no more wars is an insidious enemy of our country, who would have us risk our national existence on the vague hopes of human good-will. America is the most peace-loving of all nations, yet it remains a fact that we have been engaged in war one year out of every four since the signing of the Declara- tion of Independence. The prevention of war is not always within the province of even peace-loving nations. It has been argued that we must not discuss probable war, but the newspapers of England do not hesitate to talk of possible war with America. While at a mass meeting of students in Japan very recently they openly debated the question "Shall we declare war on the United States?" with the outcome, that while they decided there was sufficient provocation, the psychological time had not yet arrived; as we were slightly better prepared for war than they were. This condition may. be. adjusted diplomatical- ly in time, but can TfiBfe'E-.BE' anj.mjstaking the VALUE OF ARMAM;^''Tft^"T6E*iiJT]£Rbl?. There are many questions '^B-ltJiat Asiatic Corast'.wliich must some day be sojyed. International "^explications as a result of 'I*acife:;pDgsessio|is .aiid 'polonies. Great Britain ifor irfstince-mak'eSw^r treaties with Japan for mutugi'Sefence of their respective Pacific 48 Abise America holdings — while an American treaty with Nippon can only be for the purpose of postponing awk- ward difiFerences which will ultimately require solution, and our relations are at best somewhat formal and slightly artificial. Will we, in view of past experiences, be prepared ? Or will we find our aerial fleet as England found hers at the outbreak of the war? As we foimd our own in fact? Our first naval airship had not under- gone its maiden flight when we declared war on Germany. Or will we be in possession of a great commercial fleet, which can substitute bombs, soldiers and armament for passengers and freight; helium (a non-explosive gas unaffected by in- cendiary bullets) for hydrogen; and destruction for peaceful pursuit? ARISE AMERICA— LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY