The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-15
Aeronauts Saved

Pent in a sinking balloon in mid-chan- nel two aeronauts were saved from drowning by striking what proved to be their last available match as a distress signal. Eastbourne fishermen near at hand saw the signal and came to the res- cue just in time,
 The balloonists, Mir. Arthur Turner and MT. Nolan of the Royal Aero club, said that they left Battersea at 12:30 D. m, n- tending to descend on the southern coast The balloon rose to the height of 9O0O feet Travelling swiftly with the wind they descended near Buxted, and were informed that 1t was 30 miles from the coast. They rose again to 3O00 feet and presently sighted what they believed to be the Royal Sovereign lightship.
 Darkness came, and with it thick fog and rain. They lost their bearings, and the envelope of the balloon became soak ed by the vapor, and though all but one of the bags of sand had been thrown out the balloon dropped to within 90 feet of the sea, and threatened every minute to be submerged.
 The balloonsts shouted for two hours, but could make nobody hear, although they heard several steamers passing quite close to them Finally they saw light about half mile away. which, as they discovered later. came from some fishermen who were putting out nets.
 The men in the sinking balloon had only three matches. The first went out, but the second burned for about five seconds, and this it was that saved their lives. The third match broke. The fishermen, having noticed the faint light, rowed up and took them into the boat.
 So serious is the shortage of junior of- ficers in the navy that it has been de- cided to invite as lieutenants-probabl hundred-Royal Navy Reserve officers in the merchant service.
 Navy lieutenants number now 195 951, fewer than year ago, although more are needed by the commissioning of new ships. Twelve months ago only 4s de- stroyers were in full commission in home waters; there are now Il. and 10 more will be added next year.
 Field Marshal Earl Roberts, IT. G.. is not to be silenc d by his military or par liamentary critics Returning once more to the German scare" Lord Roberts says, "The .,ational Service league has always endeavored to make the question of national defense a non-party one. Now. just as in 1866 and 1870 war will take place the instant the German forces by land and sea are. but their superior ty at every point, certain of victory as anything In human calculation can be made certain. Germany strikes when Germany's hour has struck. That is the time honored policy of her foreign office It is her policy at the present hour.
 We may stand still. Germany always advances, and the line along which she is moving is now almost manifest It is towards a complete supremacy by land and sea.
 What then is my plan and what is my ultimate counsel to the nation and the message to my countrymen at this sol emn hour? It is, Arm and prepare to acquit yourselves like men, for the time Of your ordeal is at hand
 "The territorial force is now an ac- knowledged failure-a failure in discipline, failure in numbers. failure in equip ment. a failure in energy. Unless I am misinformed the majority of the territo- rials are now in favor of compulsion.
 T have commanded your armies in peace ard in war. l say to you. the young men of this city and of this nation, that your enfranchisement Is not complete until you have become soldiers as well as citizens, prepared to attest your man hood on the battlefield as well as at the election hooths.'