Finally came the bomb and torpedo carrying
aircraft to contest the suftremacy of
the capital ship, as well as of all surface
vesssels flreat t bines not vet accomplished
aro predicted by the Inventor* and enthusiastic
supporters of them- new wen pone,
but If past experience has any value It may
be as confidently predicted that equally fertllo
Invention will provide means for meeting
the future development of these weapons
and that they, like their dangerous
predecessors, will continue to be ohlv adjuncts
of the fleet. Already alrcrnft have
been successfully employed in the war
against aircraft.
"No one ran foretell what the developments
In aviation may bring In the modification
of present accepted types of surface
vessels, but It may lie confidently asserted
that changes of type due to this influence
will he slow and will not seriously affect the
value of the ships now built or to be built
in the near future. . ..
"At present the defence of surface ships
. gainst aircraft attack, whether by tsunbs
or torpedoes, seems fairly well solved. It
consists mainly In meeting aircraft with air
craft. The limitations of aircraft are such
that there is no reason why both aides, prop
criy prepares, snouio noi nave aircrari at
hand when the time and place for their use
..rises. Victory In the air will depend upon
the greater efficiency in personnel and material
In the air service. Hence the need
tor immediate training and preparation In
aviation.
"Aviation development over the land has
progressed far more than over the water.
