The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1917. AIR RAID REPRISALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1917. AIR RAID REPRISALS.

The repeated enemy air raids on London and the coastal towns of England have naturally aroused the people to anger, and it is not surprising that strong protests are being made against the inaction of the authorities in the matter of reprisals. Apart from the question of the principle involved, there must neeessar* ily he many difficulties in the way ot bombing German towns. The British Premier's outburst of wrath at the destruction caused by the last raid may be taken as a fair sample of the sentiment felt by the public generally, only instead of proclaiming the intention to pay the Germans hack in their own coin, the people of the .Motherland are impatient at the delay in taking action and are pressing the matter on the Government. The French have no scruples in making reprisal raids, and adopt that eourse after every raid on French towns. Although a laid on an open town 13 illegal according to international agreement, tlie Germans have made a law for themselves in this and other illegal methods of war. Having, therefoiv, swept away til legal restraint, the Germans cannot |ustly complain if their enemies do like-, wise as being the only way to mc(S the new conditions of ruthless warfare. At the same time it is easy to advocate reprisals, but quite a different matter to carry them out. At the present time every aeroplane that can be spared is urgently needed in the war zone, wlier» aircraft are playing a most important part in military operations. It is very probable that machines are not available for reprisal work and that the Government is awaiting a supply from America, for it would be of little avail to despatch' a small number of aircraft to bomb German towns. When that operation is undertaken it should be by such a force as will make a profound impression on the German authorities as well as on the people. Moreover, the position that will have to be faced in connection with reprisals is obviously one in which the enemy may put forth even greater efirts than heretofore in the direction of destroying the lives and property of the British people. That raises the question of air supremacy, and until Britain U in a position to demonstrate her ov" T-

whelming superiority in this arm of the service, it would not bo sound policy to make a commencement. The moment that reprisals can be taken there should be 110 hesitation in convincing tin: enemy that these raids will nob pay, Tlio question of whether reprisals are an act of retaliation meant to prevent a recurrence of raids, or an act of veins geance need not be discussed. Germany has thought fit to carry on her war in total disregard of humanity or the dictates of civilisation, .ller watchword is ruthlessness. That appears to be the only guiding force she understands, so that just as .the Allies had to adopt in self defence the viciously barbaric use of poison gas, so must they adopt the principle of bombing enemy towns. While the war lasts there is no other course to take, but success depends entirely on the adequacy and effectiveness of the punishment. Perfecting as nearly as possible the air defences of Britain is a necessary and prudent nipaat.>.Q j but that is only a palliative and not a remedy. It is clear that the patience of the people has just about been tried to breaking point, and it is marvellous how stocialiy they have borne this deadly infliction. Every effort should now be made to organise and equip a host of aerial cavalry that will raid enemy towns and harbors in such a way as to strike terror into the hearts of the ruthless Huns.