New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-06
SAYS BRITISH HAVE
SHOT own FLYERS
Score Killed by Mistake in
War Zone, Asserts Aero
nautical Society Head.
Bv GORDON RRECE.


British troops have shot twenty of
their best aviators out OF the air By
mistake" That il the startling state
ment made last night by Thomas R.
Macmechan, president of the Aeronau-
teal Society Of America. before thirty
OF the delegates 10 the First Aviation
Congress. which opened yesterday in
the Engineering Societies Building, 90
West 39th st.
Mr.. Macmechan returned on Thurs
day from England, where he has been
engaged in the construction Of aircraft
for the British government. He spoke
last night at dinner at Healy'5 Ic
honor of the out-of-town delegates 10
the congress. He gave an interesting
account Of his observations, but would
not touch on his own plans.
Referring 70 the shooting OF the
British flyers, the speaker said that
the news had been kept secret, but had
been told him by the head OF a de-
partment and that 1t is fact.
British Air Men Best.
az has been found extremely difficult
for the men on the ground 10 distin-
guish their aircraft from those of the
enemy" continued Mr.. MacMechen
THAT is one of the problems still to
be solved. The British have the best
nirmen in the world, in spite Of the
great efforts Of the French and Ger
mans to excel in aeronautics.
"The authorities in England do not
look upon the recent visits of German
aircraft to their shores in the light OF
a serious effort 10 attack the country
They know it to have been only in the
nature OF reconnaissance, and firmly
believe the real thing is to come later.
at is for that they are preparing
and some interesting changes in policy
have been made. First, the sweeping
Of the heavens with searchlights from
London has been abandoned. The folly
Of darkening the city and then shoot
ing those fingers of light into the night
TO beckon hostile airships has become
apparent.
Further, they have arranged the
lighting Of the city so that what looks
like the lights Of Piccsdilly are really
located in the centre OF Hyde Park
Other similar changes have been car
ried out, so that it would be no easy
task for the invaders to find any par
ticulsr part of the city,
Counter Raid on Germany.
Other statements made by Mr.. Mac
Mechen indicated the possibility Of an
important raid by British aviators over
Germany. He limited at the likelihood
of twenty or thirty machines flying al
once to points far inland, with the
object of wrecking the enemy's craft
The new plan of the British for de-
Tending themselves against Zeppelins
and aeroplanes, he said, was 20 meet
the invaders before they reached the
coast, and thus avoid having the mis-
siles fired by the enemy fall upon their
own forces or citizens. Also, he point
ed out, II Zeppelin were to be brought
down before discharging its load OF
explosive the result TO those on the
ground would be obvious.
At the dinner last night were Pro-
fessOr f. V. Huntington, of Harvard
University; Lieutenant Commander p,
B. DUNCAN, L. s. N; Professor A. j.
Webster. of Clark University, Worces-
ter, Mass; Lawrence B. Sperry, Lieu
tenant Hunsaker, Massachusetts In
stitute Of Technology; +. W. Bar
ker, Leo Stevens, Edward Durant. c.
". Howell, Lee s. Burridge and others
interested in the development Of ayia-
ton.
Several disappointment will be
handed out at the final session OF the
Aviation Congress this morning. The
delegates spent most of the time yes
terday morning in discussing the vari-
Gus inventions which had been sub
mtted to them by the Technical Board
OF the Aeronautical Society. While no
definite action was taken, il was known
that number OF the devices are to be
condemned to-day.
Those back of the movement are OF
the opinion that il is better to pass
on such matters at once rather than
TO encourage ayiators to try out de-
vices that are bound to prove worth
less in the end.
Through the cooperation Of the
Automobile Club OF America, the Aero
Club of America has designated I'D
ST. and East River as the clubs offi-
cial landing place for flying boats.
The use of the Automobile Clubs new
garage at that point has been offered
and accepted. and suitable floats are
10 be built before spring.
A number Of such craft are under
order by members OF the Aero Club,
and. after an inspection Of the loca-
ton by the governors, il was decided
10 take advantage Of the Automobile
Clubs offer. Definite plans for the
new station will be announced in a
few days.