Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-18
OF MILITARY
AVIATION In EUROPE

Partisan journal announces, with the
manifest intention of creating a sensa-
ton. that it possesses the
German plans of the German mil
itary staff, according to
AAoAs. which the first operation
in a war between Germany and France
will be the bombardment Of Paris 10y
German aerial fleet. The announcement,
dignified by a dispatch, concludes:
1T is hoped in Germany that such
bombardment in the commencement or
hostilities would impress the inhabitants
and the armies of both nations"
In this connection il should be said
lust here that France is far ahead OF her
rival in the organization of an aerial
fleet Germany may possess nfty
''avions," or air ships of divers types,
while France has two hundred or more.
Gen. Bounal, writing on the subject OF
military aviation. declares that NJ. Mile
rand. minister of war, in asking for In
creased and Indispensable credit for the
complete organization of the aviation
service, is entitled to the gratitude of
patriots. For the fourth arm is destined
to play in future wars most important
part.
The sum of 's4,!No.oOO for the year 1912
may appear an exaggerated sum for mill
tary aviation, but it has been shown
conclusively necessary for the construc-
ton Of the 32S additional aerial warships
new and soldly equipped for military
service. Nor is the service inexpensive.
as 1t was at first assumed. There must
be constructed many sheds to protect
from storms: many aviators or pilots,
mechanics, guardians and others en-
ployed, all of whom arc to be distributed
among the great centers of aviation to
be established for the most part in the
north. northeast and in the vicinity of
war ports.
The project submitted to the French
ministry of war i'm June, 1911. proposed
that by 1918 the French
French army shall be furnished
with 800 aviation machines
1ioSidM. with the necessary per-
sonnet officers and material. Besides,
Gen. Bounal, who is acknowledged au-
thority. in such matters, proposes that
there shall be added to the artillery OF
the army at least one light monoplace
for every group of three batteries.
Let us explain at once the Specification
of terms which are taking their place In
the international vocabulary of aviation.
The .'monoplace as it's name signifies,
is a machine in which only one can be
placed; the "biplaces" carry two persons.
A "monopIane," however, may be blpiace
and may carry two; "bipiane may De
But, as monoplanes lend
more than other aeroplanes to
great speed, and as a rule it has not
been sought to enlarge their capacity Tor
carrying weight. monoplanes are gener-
ally also mOnoolaces. On this question
Commandant Paul Renard, who is ex-
pert. declares in favor of the biplane
any case that there may be a
pilot and a reporter-a pilot whose sole
business it is to direct the machine and
to take observations, etc.
In 1915 when the aviator fleet shall
have attained in France its proposed
outside of the special
service proposed for the artillery,
which is intended perhaps as a dis
agreeable surprise for the enemy, the
number of the personnel of the aviation
feet will reach $500 pilots. The army,
according to Gen. Bounal, should not
furnish all these officers, because of
the loss Of their services to their par
ticular arm. 1t should therefore have
recourse to the non commissioned
officer chosen from preparatory
schools, and who has been classed as
having military aptitude" And this
Of officers of the army has experienced
a loss during the last year of % per
cent of those engaged in aviation. Such
a situation was intolerable and If con-
tinued would provoke a formidable re-
action in the public against aviation.
x X
Gen. Bounal proposed remedy for
these accidents. He would direct the
study of aviators to the
RonnaFs control of the descent of
the aeroplane so that it
1IopoSdi' may no longer be a dan
ger for the pilot. The minister of war
might establish competition with a
large prize for a machine which would
combine security with other qualities.
The ingenuity of French constructors.
he believed, would find it in less than
six months.
We were led to believe on credible au-
thority. first in October 1910, and again
August IS, 1911, that a complete and per-
feet safeguard for the aeroplane against
errors of the pilot, failure OF the motor
and atmospheric troubles had been found
in the stabilisateur of NJ. Doutre. 1t was
announced that it would control things in
air and even on the earth'S surface, II
would revolutioniZe traffic, and not only,
put the horse out Of service, but the
1t was the story of a
dreamer.
A cable from Paris about the same time
announced that NJ. Vedrines would star
tie the world with aeroplane which
would create a sensation. The aeroplane
would henceforth paralyze the action or
the greatest war fleets, and that in case
of war between France and Germany
French aviators could destroy ports. rail-
ways and fortreSses. This, too, proved
to be the story of dreamer.
The year 1903 may be said to be the
date when aviation took its place as
military machine under the double form
of the dirigible and the aeroplane. The
death of Lieut.. Selfridge of the United
States army in 1908 was followed by the
accident to Orvile Wright. In 1909 the
French aviator Bleriot, with the aero
plane, and Bourbonnair. with the dirig-
ible "Republique," was a point of de-
parture in aviation, which was succeeded
by a moment Of doubt inspired by the
accident and death of Ferber and the
catastrophe to the "Republique." A few
weeks later Germany modified an aerial
feet composed Of several dirigibles, which
executed serious military maneuvers. The
maneuvers were openly executed, and the
German press discussed the intention of
the government to use the dirigibles
against France.
In the month Of March, 1910, Senator
DR.. Raymond. supported by his eminent
colleague, Gen. LangloisI
Aerial (who died February 10, de-
manded that the French
0eISico' minister of war organize a |
i; r;u