advantages under suitable conditions: cruising at high altitudes over the battlefield, or over or in the rear of the enemy's lines, and reporting to headquarters by wireless every movement of strategic or tactical importance, it might render the most vital service. It is able to carry a complement of officers trained to observation, capable of giving an accurate interpretation of what they observe, and acting under most favourable conditions, such as are not possible in any existing aeroplane; it can move at some fifty miles per hour, if required, or remain to all intents and purposes stationary; it can follow continuously the course of events from sunrise to sunset, and remain the whole time in touch with headquarters, either for sending or receiving. On the other hand, for bearing despatches, for flying at low altitude within range of shot and shell, as may be necessary for detail reconnaissance or in cloudy or misty weather, for bringing machine-gun fire to bear at some important point or at a critical moment, etc., all these are duties for which the aeroplane is pre-eminently suited, as also for rapidly locating and signalling gun positions, directing fire, and duties of such-like character.
It is more than questionable whether actual fighting is any part of the primary function of a dirigible at all; it is at least becoming apparent that bomb-dropping is an entire misuse of the large airship; the results are incomparably small in view of the means employed, and can never affect decisively the course of any battle or campaign.
It is important to note that though it is possible effectively to armour an aeroplane, at least to be proof against small-arms fire, and that in any case the vulnerable target is small, the dirigible, presenting a mark larger than the proverbial haystack, cannot be effectively
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