Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 128, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 May 1919 — Use Airplanes To Fight Bandits [ARTICLE]

Use Airplanes To Fight Bandits

Machine-Gun Method of Warfare Being Tried in Santo Domingo. LATEST STUNT OF MARINES distinct Surprise to Macoris Gang of 400 Outlaws Hiding in Inacessible Parts of Island —Frequent Bush Fighting. New York. —Hunting bandits with machine guns in airplanes is the latest stunt of the United States marine corps. It is said to be a distinct surprint to the Macoris gang of 400 outlaws hiding in inaccessible parts of the San Pedro Macoris district of Santo Domingo. News of the adoption of this up-to-the-minute method of discouraging revolution and pillage in the turbulent republic came in private advices from Porto Rico, where, it is said, the outlaws obtained their arms and ammunition. At marine headquarters here there is no knowledge of how effective well-directed gunfire from the soaring planes has been, but a report from CoTbnel Breckenridge, In command of one of the companies on the Island, indicates that the latest crop of jungle buccaneers will soon be harvested. He wrote to thank the originator of the Idea, which, he said, was proving invaluable, and added: “Send down some more airplanes." There are now 13 flying machines with the marine corps In Santo Domingo and Hayti. These forces consist of the First brigade, of 1,500 men, under General Catlin, at Port au Prince, and the Second brigade, of 2,000 men, under General Fuller, at San Domingo City. Attached to these forces is the Fourth aviation squadron, under Captain Mimms, of 300 men, divided into two divisions. Frequent Bush Fighting. The one in Hayti has seven hydroplanes and the other in Santo Domingo has six machines. Tn both countries there is a very bad situation, with constant outbreaks of revolution and outlawry. No regular battle has taken place since the arrival of the marines, but there has been frequent bush fighting, with the marines the first apd the last to fight. i An idea of what the marines are facing and how thoroughly they are preparing to do their job is given in an article in the Times of San Juan, Porto Rico, of recent date, under the

headline, “Airplanes to Smash New Band of Bandits.” It says: .“According to reliable reports the latest band of bandits in Santo Domingo numbers about 400 young and active men, and they are well armed and have plenty of ammunition. The haunt of the gang is in the* San Pedro Macoris district, and while they adopt the old profession of being revolutionists they are proving to be as ready for murder and pillage as their prototypes who are gone. There has been nothing like a pitched battle with the outlaws as yet, but marine officers having commands in the district are expecting serious trohble at any time. It has been authentically stated that a squadron of five or six airplanes with a force of 35 trained pilots and mechanics has recently been landed on the island and is being mobilized at the Consuelo sugar estate in the San Pedro Macoris district, where a widecleared area and level plains make the ground ideal for the building of airdromes and the maneuvering of the machines. Expected to Check Lawlessness. “Although no official information has been given out, it is currently reported that the airplanes, when put In proper shape, will be armed with machine guns and will play a conspicuous part in the hunting out of the bandits lurking in the jungles and in properly cleaning them up. With the leathernecks afoot and the air full of ‘humniing birds’ there does not seem to be much hope for the would-be bad men, and the fertile plains of San Domingo may soon be made safe for honest men.” News from other sources is to the effect that several flights have been made over the territory* to which the gang has been driven for concealment, with the result that concealment was Immediately made doubly sure in the tall’grass and timber, to escape from the rain of bullets from the skies. What execution was done is not known here.