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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0088.PDF
plish no military purpose, and the wanton slaughter ot women arouses a world-wide resentment. . . . The German military authorities seem to forget that the war is not going to last for ever, and that when it is over Germany will have to live in the world with all the other nations. Not only does Germany gain nothing by such attacks, but in the end they will cost her dear." Under the heading " A Disgrace to Civilisation," the New York Tribune describes the raid " as a wanton and brutal dis regard of Hague rules and humane principles," and adds that "it belongs with the worst acts of German militarism in the present war." Similarly, the New York American remarks that " without prejudice, even without indigna tion, the nations of the world may well ask themselves what possible good can come of such wanton raids. . . . . There was reason for the British aeroplane raid on the hangars at Cuxhaven. . . . But sailing on through the black night to drop bombs on a baby's crib is but a sorry use to make of war's opportunities for valour and personal courage." We could elaborate such expressions of opinion almost ad infinitum, but it is unnecessary. The time will come, and that in the not far distant future, when the Huns will have to render an account for all their " frightful- ness " and savagery. In the meantime, the decision of the Russian authorities in regard to the treatment of those participating in these excursions helps to emphasise the iniquity of the proceeding. No doubt the raids are an outstanding admission of not only growing weakness, but of the lowest depths of desperation. Who There appears once again to have been a mild alarm on Monday evening in connec- Scaremongers?*'011 witn tne reported approach of hostile aircraft in the vicinity of the Metropolis. A rumour having reached Woolwich that five Zeppelins had been seen over Hornchurch, Essex, the town and Arsenal were immediately thrown into darkness. Shortly .afterwards, however, the order to extinguish lights was cancelled, and the town resumed its normal aspect. This did not, however, prevent the rumour extending to London, where the special constables were called out, only to be almost as quickly dismissed, it being subse quently stated that the aircraft had turned back. It would be worth a considerable amount of trouble to trace home the origin of such scares, and deal with the offender under military law. While we always admit the possibility of a raid over the Metropolitan area, its probability is not so great as many people would have us believe. If one is attempted, we shall expect our authori ties to put their defensive preparations into action in ® ® THE FLYING FROM the further additions to the list of subscriptions on page 93, received for this splendid fund by the Royal Aero Club, there are a couple of donors with ^ioo each, viz., the Sunbeam Motor Car Co. and J. Samuel White and Co., whilst £$o has been given by Mr. W. M. G. Singer. A good example for every mayor throughout the country to follow has been set by the Mayor of Loughborough with a donation, and it is a source of genuine pleasure to see amongst the names of subscribers that of Mrs. de Beauvoir Stocks. The ball has hardly been set rolling as yet, as the general public have not yet realised the great and vital cause which they are called upon to support, and we look forward to the response such a way as not to unduly alarm the public, who have already been officially instructed that the best thing to do on hearing any unusual noises in the air is to get within four walls as quickly as possible, and moreover to betake themselves to the lower parts of the house. As we have said, there need be no haunting alarm in regard to these threatened raids. The individual chances of being concerned directly in them is decidedly small. Apart from the military preparations, everything is being done to meet the eventuality by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, the L.C.C, and others in authority. In Paris the authorities have just issued some further instructions in the event of their being also favoured with the Huns' attentions. These are of a character in keeping with French temperament, and include the following details :—" In such an eventuality, whether by day or by night, the population of Paris and in the Department of the Seine will be warned by blasts of horns from the fire-stations of the different quarters and communes, alternating with the bugle-call of danger (garde a vous). Should the alarm be at night, all lights will be extinguished. Private persons are warned at the first bugle blasts to return home with all speed, or to take refuge under arches. A second bugle blast from the fire-stations will proclaim that the danger is past." Aircraft Design. It is announced that in order that the Educating public may become familiar with the various the&fj^lirt- in types of aircraft, both British and hostile, " it is intended to issue from the Home Office a number of posters on which will be depicted Zeppelins and' Taubes and British air craft." The posters, which will supersede one which the Anti-Aircraft Department of the Admiralty had prepared for exhibition, have been approved by the Admiralty and the War Office. " When the posters have been printed they will be very widely distributed, and it is hoped that the public—who are sometimes disturbed by the passage of one of our own aeroplanes—will note the essential differences between our own aircraft and those of the enemy." To readers of FLIGHT the new poster will hardly be necessary, for we have already devoted considerable space to illustrations as well as particulars of all types of aircraft, including those of the Allies as well as those of the enemy. Moreover, the official poster, if confined to the type of airship and aeroplane mentioned above, will give quite an erroneous idea of the variety of the enemy's aerial fleet, which, as anyone with even the slightest knowledge of aeronautics and aviation knows, is by no means restricted to Zeppelins and Taubes. ® ® SERVICES FUND. gradually growing to such an adequate total that the inaugurators and organisers of the Fund may feel they are associated with a -eal live undertaking. Every sub scription, however small, will be welcomed. It is the spirit of cheerful giving which is the main point. We hope to see the name of every reader of FLIGHT inscribed in due course on this new " Roll of Honour " to our Flying Services; and remember, every donation, however modest, so that it is according to means, is as good as the largest sum that can be asked for. • Subscriptions should be sent to The Flying Services Fund, Royal Aero Club, 166, Piccadilly, London, W., or to Barclay and Co., Ltd., 1, Pall Mall East, S.W. 88
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