Tesla Sees Wireless Big Factor in Defense

Great Expert Proposes Gridiron of Stations

Predicts Cheap System for Communication

Says That It Is Possible to Control Crewless Warships and Fire Guns by Radio-Waves — Declares That Germany Without Wireless Would Have Been Nearly Helpless.

BY EDWARD MARSHALL.

Thomas A. Edison, In one of these interviews made a suggestion which will revolutionize the naval history of the United States. Already it has resulted in the appointment of a wonderful civilian consulting board.

Now comes Nikola Tesla with another plan which may revolutionize the nation's system of communication. I went to him, the world's greatest expert, to learn what wireless had accomplished in this war, and what of peculiar benefit to this country it might accomplish in the future.

He believes that wireless transmission might be adapted, without great expense, so that it would decrease the outlay for our defense and at the same time immensely increase the efficiency of our means of protection against invasion.

"Is it not the fact that even in the present war the wireless telegraph has proved of immense value?" I asked the world-famous electrical inventor.

"This new and revolutionary method, flashing energy through space," he answered, "although as yet not much more than inaugurated, has profoundly modified methods of warfare and, in both the constructive and destructive sense, has proved itself to be a factor of such potency that it must be reckoned with in all future naval and military operations.

"It has made surprises impossible, for instance, and that undoubtedly, is one of the reasons why no decisive battle has been fought so far upon land or sea. To what degree this has been instrumental in saving human life, human effort and treasure, cannot be estimated." treasure, cannot be es- 

In War Wireless Is Indispensable.

I then asked Mr. Tesla to express himself concerning the importance to the fortunes of Germany in this war. of the Sayville and Tuckerton wireless plants.

"The work of these two plants affords a striking example of the practical value of the wireless", he replied.

"Without them, Germany would have been completely isolated from all the nations of the world except those which are at war with her.

"Undersea cables are cut almost as easily as overhead wires can be, but it is impossible for an enemy to interrupt communication by this new method. Its medium is all pervading, invisible, intangible. It cannot be destroyed or even blocked, for it is space itself.

"The German stations which, possibly, thus have preserved from dire disaster the nation which claims them as its own, really are not more than one-tenth as powerful as some other existing plants and are scarcely a twentieth as powerful as others, although much has been printed about their enormous activity.

"In these stations, however, so far as I have seen, every detail has been scientifically developed with great skill, and it is because of this that through them communication between Germany and North America, across the 3,000 and more miles of intervening sea, has been possible with the expenditure of energy amounting to no more than 30 kilowatts."

"Has not the lack of secrecy somewhat hampered their usefulness?" I inquired.

"Undoubtedly. As messages now are transmitted by these and other wire- less stations, there is no such thing as actual secret operation, for the reason that the system is dependent upon simple tuning of circuits.

"When this primitive method is used, any inquisitive outside expert, by quick manipulation of a wave meter, can ascertain the rate of vibration and 'cut in' without the knowledge of either of the communicating, operators. 

"Not only this, but if he so desires and has at hand the necessary apparatus, he can even start, with his own instrument, a vibration similar to that of the other instruments and thus interfere with their successful operation. 

"Thus, at present, the only possible guarantee of privacy at the German stations and others, is the use of a code, which at best must be very in- convenient and time consuming at both ends, for it entails codification at the sending and translation at the receiving station, with all the possibilities of error inseparable from both processes.

U. S. Has Solved Problem of Secrecy.

"This is a clumsy and unnecessary expedient. We in America have a well- developed means whereby we can render wireless messages absolutely safe against outside interruption.

"What are your ideas, in general, about Government control of wireless?" I inquired.

"The mere fact that wonders can be achieved through the application of this subtle agent," Mr. Tesla answered makes some kind of governmental supervision of all wireless operations imperative, not only in this country, but throughout the world.

"In my opinion, however, governmental control should not be of a nature to hamper that legitimate commercial development, which, alone, can lead to the ultimate perfection of the science.

"I cannot think of any one influence which would do more to aid our progress than a network of wireless stations, checker boarding, as it were, the entire country. The expense of such a system would be relatively small and inestimable benefits would be derived therefrom.

"A high-power plant would cost less than $250,000 and its range would cover all of the United States.

"I am convinced that one year's service of such an installment would more than pay its first cost and the expense involved in its operation. There is scarcely any interest in all the nation which would not feel the benefit of a rightly planned and managed wireless service.

"Every winter storms interrupt both telephonic and telegraphic transmission in many mentions of the country.

"The sum total of any one year's damage would more than equal the original cost of the entire network of wireless plants which I suggest, and they would be beyond the reach of such destruction if constructed with reasonable care.

"Everyone appreciates the value of our weather report service, but it is not as generally available as it would be if such a wireless network, under government control, existed.

"Every year forest fires destroy millions upon millions worth of valuable property, which is a permanent loss. The existence of such wireless stations as I contemplate, operating in spite of obstacles, unaffected by rain, snow, wind, flood, fire, would constitute an incalculable gain.

"In this connection one of the most important advantages of the system would be the fact that the receiving apparatus would be so small and inexpensive that it could be placed anywhere and would be within the means of almost everyone.

"For if we are to get the full benefits of a system of the sort, wireless telephonic transmission must be practically achieved, and when this is an accomplished fact the only apparatus necessary for the reception of perfectly intelligible, spoken messages, would be very inexpensive telephonic receivers.

"Imagine not only the value; but the comfort, which would accrue — to dwellers in the isolated spots of the United States, if, at certain hours each day, they knew that they could listen through such instruments to weather reports, crop, advice important general news, and, at stated intervals and times, through the same means could find relaxation.

"Operas, speeches, sermons — any thing which can be made perceptible through the ear and is desirable, could be conveyed to them from the most remote centers of civilization and culture at a trifling cost.

"The general installation and use of such devices on shore and at sea would enable seamen to exactly steer their courses, without dependence upon compasses or observations of the sun and stars.

Would Minimize Danger at Sea.

"Once such a system is in operation it will be possible by law to closely define such navigation routes as will be certain to reduce to a minimum the dangers of marine adventure.

"I have been always opposed to the manufacture or expensive war engines and implements of destruction, but the study of the awful spectacle which fort to unfolds in Europe has taught me much.

"It is my present belief that no effort or expense should be spared which could help toward putting this country in a position not only to resist attack, but to make all the world respect those broad humanitarian principles for which the American people ever have been willing fight."

"We can maintain peace for ourselves and help to maintain it for the world only by adopting methods radically different from those which so signally have failed in Europe," he replied. "Hitherto it has been humanity's plan to preserve peace by creating forces for offense.

"Had there been the slightest possibility of the success of this old meth- od, Europe never would have known another war. Therefore, it is plain that this is the time and I am sure that we are, the people, to cut loose from that traditional illusion.

"Other forces and implements different from those of war must be found for settlement of international disputes and he who finds these instrumentalities must first render himself invulnerable before he can force others to accept his suggestions.

"The task undoubtedly is ours.

"The underlying ideas of war is fundamentally wrong, although it has been sanctioned, by the theory of the survival of the fittest and, in earlier civilizations, may have been one of the necessities of advance.

Wireless Control of Vessels Possible.

"But I am sure it is true that this country can do more toward promoting the world's progress and insuring its own tranquillity by making itself invulnerable than it could by making itself invincible.

"So I believe that the United States, with every possible speed and energy, should attack the task of insuring its own safety by means more scientific and advanced than those which so lamentably have failed in Europe.

"This, I think, is rendered comparatively easy by our exceptionally favorable geographical position, and we already have means at hand, not merely theoretical but demonstrative, and in a measure experimentally proved, which, if consequently employed, would make it impossible for any hostile force to imperil our tranquillity.

"Even now wireless control from the shore of crewless, and, therefore, doubly offensive vessels, is a possibility, though with their automatic engines, automatic steering gear and automatic weapons they be well out at sea. 

"It is my belief that we should install along both of our ocean coasts, upon proper strategic and elevated points, numerous wireless controlling plants; under the command of competent officers and that to each should be assigned a number of submarine, surface and aerial craft.

From the shore stations these vessels, of whatever character, could perfectly controlled at any distance at which they remained visible through powerful telescopes. Thus they could be guided to any desired point and there made to perform such work as might be necessary.

"With proper refinements, all now well known to experts and fully developed, such operations could be put absolutely beyond the reach of interference, except such as might come through injury or destruction of the machinery.

"If we were properly equipped with such devices of defense it is inconceivable that any battleship or other vessel of an enemy ever could get within the zone of action of these tel-automatic craft without incurring a risk of annihilation amounting almost to certainty.

"And such a danger never would be braved. In fact the mere knowledge that such craft existed would determine all possible aggressors to give these peaceful shores of ours a wide and respectful berth.