The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-19

extra power for ong-distance recon
Nuisance. And there will also be
special machines for the field artil-
iery. In addition there will be sixty
four machines and 1872 aviators, dis
'ribnted among fourteen Of our con-
tinental coast-defensc stations. So far
we have been considering only the
regular army of the United states.
In the Philippines General Alien
wants two squadrons. or sixteen ma
ohines: In Panama and Hawaii. each
one squadron, with eight machines.
Fleet of 40 Machines.
All told, he wants. for the regular
army alone. 100 aeroplancs in charge
of 2SS aviators. and 72o enlisted me-
would be headed by two colonies
under his command. besides two lieu
tenant-eoloncis and eleven majors AT
present he has only ten officers for
aviation duty, while France already
mas 500. or three times as many as
n" asks for-and this despite the fact
that our army WAS the first in the
world to develop practical aviation.
France viii spend a total of $1,000
GOO for rs aerial feet this year. John
Bull in the same time --ill spend ST.
Germany will buy s62i.o0o worth of
military aeroplanes before the year is
over. Within month the Kaiser will
nave $50 military aeroplancs, while we
now have six. France, in her army
alone. has Just a hundred times as
many OF these machines as have we,
and England has more than thirteen
times as many military aviators as
We can boast OF
our militia. according 10 General
Aliens program. must be equipped
with machines distributed among its
mobile troops in proportion to one
squadron for each division OF men.
and the military aviators Will re-
celVe diplomas from the regular
aTmvs aviation schools.
Machine Shops ON Wheels.
othcr machines besides acroplancs
VIII enter Into the equipment OF each
squadron. which group OF eight ny-
ing machines viii be tho unit of our
sky force just as the unit Of our land
force. There must be great trucks to
carry whole deroplanes and tractor
automobiles to haul these trucks. as
wei as transport the aeropiane crews
In the field
These heavy automobiles and trucks
VIII carry ''acroplanc tents" FOR tenn
porarily shcltcr;ng machines separated
from the hangers. also repair tools.
spare parts and additional supplies OF
sasolene. General Allen says that it
VIII also be necessary to have at
tached TO each OF these squadrons OF
H!snt acroplanes self propelled re-
pair snop, which can be moved to
any place in the field where a ma
chino may DC in distress. This would
L" always equipped with reserve sun
plcs ana complete set OF spare parts
Tor machines in use.
Distr buted over the country are IN
ne five training schools. officially
known a. Centres of aviation" from
which our sky soldiers will be con-
tinualIy making test ana Instruction
Nighis One OF these points will be
upon the Atlantic coast. one on the
Pacific, one on the Great Lakes. one
on the Gulf of Mexico and one at some
central inland point. In addition, there
VII be as many auxiliary centres AS
IL may De possible to organize. 1t Is
the generals ultimate ambition to
nave such n school OF instruction in
each state
How a Centre VIII Look.
You are wondering how these prin-
cipal aviation schools Will appear The
accompanying photograph OF tho avia-
tIon centre already established by
General Allen ut College Park, near
Washington. wifi give you a partial
IDEA. There viii be a. wide, level field
edged by a line ~ low lying hangers
or stables for the aerial stceds:
sheHs' workshops. storeroorns and bar
racke.
AT these centres officers not only of
Inc regular army. but Of the militia,