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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0842.PDF
I7GHI! cause of civilisation. There is added honour in such distinction, but it is ungenerous to label a man who happens to be " unfit" in some minor degree, such as imperfect eyesight, &c, although physically fit in a general sense, so long as he is willing to do his bit of fighting with the rest. We shall hope, therefore, if it be not too late, that, in this respect, the principle guiding the issue of the armlets will be re-considered. Otherwise there can be nothing but praise for the move which has been made to distinguish the goats from the sheep. ... We do not doubt but that if a plunge one Neutrality. side or tne other has ultimately t0 be taken, the Dutch people will plump for the Entente combination. That their present position in the Continental complications is anything but a pleasant one we can well believe, and their endeavour to officially keep clear of unneutral acts is but natural, whatever individual traders may be doing in the form of trading with our enemy. It would appear, however, as if it were about time for the Dutch Government to take up a firm position in regard to the violation of their "territorial" rights in the air by the passage of German airships over their boundaries. Whilst quite recognising that there are grave difficulties in their way of putting a stop by physical force to these contemptuous tactics of the Germans, at least they have in a modified degree a retaliatory remedy to hand. Follow ing representations by the German authorities, the Dutch authorities have ceased notifying this country of the sailing of German airships over the North Sea, by reason of it being claimed by the Germans that such notification is a breach of neutrality. So far, good; and this side we have therefore to do the best we can to be prepared for the Zeppelin visits as they materialise. But surely it is about time that representations from our Government should be made to our Dutch friends that, as the Germans persist in passing over Holland as being the most convenient and shortest way en route for Britain, the obligation on the part of the Dutch authorities not to notify us of such passing over neutral territory should cease to be respected until such time as the German command itself undertakes to respect the neutrality of its neighbour. Two wrongs do not, of 9 ® The Defence of London. (QUESTIONED in the House of Commons on October 28th, regarding the steps being taken to safeguard the lives of the citizsns of London, Mr. Balfour, First Lord of the Admiralty, said that the defence of London, whether by guns or aeroplanes, was a subject of anxious study and was undergoing, he hoped, constant improve ment. Asked by Mr. Annan Bryce whether he had made himself acquainted with the steps taken to safeguard Paris, Mr. Balfour said the answer was in the affirmative. He also said that he was quite aware that Paris was nearer to the German lines than London, but that did not settle the question. There were many other consider ations, and he would remind them that Zeppelins were not kept in the German lines. Where a Zeppelin came from depended on the power of accommodation, which was a very costly and difficult matter, and the Allies, he was glad to say, had been so fortunate in their attacks on Zeppelin sheds in the Low Countries that it was not now a favourable place for the enemy to put their Zeppelins. Sir Percy Scott's duties were primarily with the gun defence of London. There was, as explained the other day, full co-operation between the gunnery defences of London and the naval and military .'lying services. Replying to Mr. Outhwaite, Mr. Balfour said that the Admiralty were dependent for their earliest information about Zeppelins on observations made at the coast and possibly by cruisers or other vessels at sea. It should be remembered that the fact that a NOVEMBER 5, 1915. course, make one right, but at least no complaint by the Hun Government could then hold good against such a justifiable counter-claim. Let our newly-formed "Inner War Cabinet" look to it. •» • *• Since the middle of June there has been Sir John n0 despatch from Sir John French setting Appreciation. out tne considered views of the happenings " out yonder," until the lengthy resume issued last Monday. The unstinted praise of the work of the R.F.C. men meted out by the Commander-in- Chief in France will still be in the minds of our readers, and, as we then anticipated, that praise is not only more than upheld in the new despatch of Sir John, but is, if anything, elaborated. It is difficult to find the dividing line between the admiration which he expresses for both the Artillery and the Flying Corps—they appear to be two working as one—and no greater commendation could be apportioned to them than this recognition of their combined efficiency. It is clear that again the work of the R.F.C. as a whole has still further impressed its mark upon the method of operations at the front, whilst the many individual instances of brilliant exploits have brought the Corps to a point of eminence with the Commander-in-Chief which promises well for days to come during the war— and thereafter. " The volume of work steadily increases; the amount of flying has been more than doubled during this period (in review), there have been more than 240 combats in the air, and in nearly every case our pilots have had to seek the enemy behind his own lines, where he is assisted by the fire of his movable anti-aircraft guns," etc., etc. This is homage indeed from one who is not given to overstating his case. Hardly wonder that the Royal Aero Club pilots' list is just soaring to the 2,000 mark, when such possibilities of distinction are open to men of nerve and resource. Its further vast expansion is but a matter of the oppor tunity for acquiring the necessary proficiency. Time will supply that factor, and in the meantime the " waiting " list for gaining that proficiency is ever on the increase; so that we may look forward with the utmost confidence to the spreading of the interests concerned with aviation and the ever-extending importance of the Royal Aero Club as its governing head. ® ® Zeppelin has been seen approaching the coast or moving inland is no conclusive proof of a raid on London. In reply to another question, Sir John Simon said he thought it would give rise to much unnecessary anxiety and alarm if the names of victims of raids were published without the addresses which would distinguish the persons killed or injured from other persons having similar names ; and addresses could not, of course, be given. \\ hen persons were killed or injured in such circumstances that their Iriends were not aware of it at the time, the earliest possible inti mation was given to the friends by the police. Replying to questions asked on Tuesday by Mr. R. M'Niell as to how far Sir Percy Scott's authority extended, Mr. Balfour said that Sir fercy bcott s duties were concerned primarily with the gunnery defences of London against attack by enemy aircraft. But it must not be supposed that the co-ordination between the several services mentioned was incomplete or that the requirements of the anti-air- cratt department of the Admiralty were not regarded as decisive and promptly met. If we were arranging for the protection of London in peace time against aircraft and other attacks we should, no doubt, put it under a military governor, as is the case in Paris, but he thought the idea 01 so colossal a reorganisation at this moment would cause a great „la-LmOre,JTfus,0n for some time at least than any advantage which would be secured. 842
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