Clarke Courier

Letters to Editor

Editor of The Clarke Courier,
Berryville, Va.
Dear Sir:

It does not seem possible that either the public or the press, should be surprised by the death-dealing devices used today.

The following is copied from one of many true prophecies as to what to expect in this war. First Aerial Torpedo. By Gen. William Mitchell."

Do you know that it is possible to hit New York or Boston or Philadelphia with an aerial torpedo released from a point in western Europe? That such a torpedo can carry a ton of toxic gas which is capable of killing hundreds of people in the twinkling of an eye?

"A gliding bomb resembles the ordinary dropped bomb, except that it has wings, and a gyroscope in its tail which controls the rudder.

"The air torpedo will have tremendous application in any future war. It is merely an airplane with gyroscopic controls that fly it almost like a human pilot, in any desired direction and to any spot or place.

If war should occur in the future between the United States and Europe aerial torpedoes could be fired at New York from England, France or Germany and find their target. Their course can be set either by way of the great circle route or by following a parallel of latitude. They can be made to fly at any altitude desired.

They can be equipped with radio apparatus to give a signal every so often which will indicate their position to cooperating submarines or aircraft, by which they can be checked and put on their course in case they deviate from it. The air torpedo was invented in this country, perfected by the Sperry Gyroscope Company and particularly by Lawrence Sperry, one of the greatest of American aviators, who unfortunately lost his life in the English Channel.

"The last time we used air torpedoes was in 1920, when we fired three shots from Mitchel Field on Long Island, to Trenton, N. J., a distance of 134 miles. Each air torpedo went directly to its destination and had it been war Trenton would have been evacuated.

"When I was in one country of Europe six years ago, (checked proved this to be Germany, 1922.) its air force was flying the air torpedo on a triangular course of 90 miles, 30 miles on a leg, and guiding it by radio. The torpedo took off and landed entirely by gyroscopic control and without human touch.

"Today (1928) Europe is armed to the teeth. There are probably more soldiers there than ever before."

Time will tell, who was responsible for the way Gen. Mitchell and others were treated who both warned and tried to get this nation of ours prepared for what we are in now. One of the foremost ones was our President. Whoever the guilty ones are, Isolationist, Obstructionist, Traitors. They all should be classed the same.

I. N. ELSEA.
302 East Bellefonte,
Alexandria, Va.
July 4, 1944.