The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-01
tspeclal Dispatch,

5S LONDON, May 81.
HE agitation about what is called
the air peril threatening this countr,
came to a somewhat lame and i'm
potent conclusion with the meeting al
the Mansion House. Public opinion ro-
fuses to be unduly alarmed or excited bv
statements to the effect that since Bleriot
crossed the Channel Great Britain is no
longer an island. that Germany has cor
quered tho air. and that as a result the
command OF the sea Is Of little value to
England. 1t must he admitted that the
flamboyant resolutions originally drafted
for the Mansion House meeting were CON
siderably toned down before being pro-
posed. and that more reasonable judg-
ment. born OF fuller knowledge, was re-
flecteu In the speeches than was appar-
ent in the early announcements about the
meeting
The fact is That 1t is beginning 10 be
more generally realized tina, the naval
and military authorities are making steady
progress In aeronautics along the lines
best caicula ted to provide machines suit
able for war purposes and an organiza-
ton for them which will harmonize with
the defence policy OF the country. The
commissioning Of parent vessel for
hydro-aeroplancs Is sign of advance The
cruiser Hcrrnes which has been selected
for this duty, will not bc n nominal head
quarters for the aeroplanc section of the
naval wing. but scasoing tender. fitted
with platforms for launching machines
into flight. and with appliance for repair
ing air craft. Captain q. w. Vivian and
Commander +. r. Scarlet, who have been
appointed to the Hcrmes, have both taken
aerial pilots certificates.
Difficulties Easily Overcome.
Any delay in regard to the acquisition
OF machines has been mainly attributable
10 the difficulty. first. In deciding upon
types most capable of naval and military
work. and secondly in getting such typcs Of
craft manufactured. These difficulties an
pear likely to be quickly surmounted. The
war office has evolved an aeroplanc
which some authorities assert 10 be the
best OF its kind for military purposes
The Admiralty Is working I'm the direction
OF providing an efficicn, naval machine
but type which satisfies 1t sufficiently
to warrant its multiplication In large
numbers does not yet appear TO have been
found.
Experiments must. therefore continue
with such aircraft as are available These
include many varieties. and new machines
are constantly being obtained. not only
hydro-aeroplanes. such as the Borel and
and Farman machines added recently, bu,
biplanes and monoplanes OF the Deeper
dussin. Candron. Sopwith and Avro types.
all to be tried from naval standpoint
The task has also been allotted to the
naval wing OF deciding which Of the sew
eral types OF dirigible airshps is best
suited Tor combined land and sea warfare,
in which connection the cooperation OF
the big war ship building firms, like V!ck-
ers & Armstrong, Will be OF great assist
ance. Besides an Astra-Torres alrship.
the Admiralty are purchasing a Parseval
through Messrs. Vickers. who. taking the
Parscval design tls a basis. may be expec,.
ed 10 evolve new naval airship In the
same way that they produced the success
tul British submarines from the original
Holland designs. With their valuable re-
sources in capital. research laboratories
and experience Of what is required for
naval and military purposes, these large