The Washington herald., 1916-09-04
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS
Best Service Column i'm City.

Encouraging reports have been receiv-
ed at the War Department concerning
the demonstrations given the twelve Cur
tiss Re- 160-horsepower aeroplanes in the
hands of the first aero squadron at Col
umbus, New Mexico. Each is equipped
with Lewis machine rifle. The ma
chimes are operated by qualified pilots
of the aviation section, and observers
are taken from the line commands
Arrangements have been made whereby
a first reserve of twelve machines ready
for use and the equivalent of disassem-
bled parts of twelve machines as a sec
ond reserve will be available for this
squadron Immediately. Nothing more than
preliminary arrangements yet has been
done toward the organization of the third
aero susdron at San Antonio, Texas, and
no final decision has been reached as to
the type of machines with which this
squadron will be equipped.
Following the organization of this
squadron, the fourth aero squadron will
be organized. This squadron probably
will be equipped with battle aeroplanes
the type of which six have been ordered
and one Of which is being tested at COL
umbus. These machines have two 90
horsepower engines driving two propel-
lers. and each will be armed with one
machine rifle and two Winchester auto
matte shoulder rifles
In addition to the six already ordered,
twenty-four more will be required to give
the squadron twelve machines in active
use, twelve as a first reserve. and twelve
as a second reserve. Plans have been
made for the development OF an efficient
commissioned and enlisted aviation re-
serve force. which will be employed in
active service in a manner similar to the
nj ~ IA 4
Reserve Corps in time Of peace, and the
reserve force will be used largely In or
ganizing the personnel of the aero units.
Plans have been made for the organiza-
ton at Fort Sill, Okla. OF Il lighter-than-
air unit for operation Of captive balloons
as soon as the balloons can be obtained,
This unit will include about four commits
soned officers and eighty enlisted men. II
will have about four balloons.
Experiments are about to be conducted
over the aviation field at Mineola, Long
Island, with the dropping Of bombs OF
various sorts from aeroplanes, including
tests OF Notwithstanding devices.
Early this week Secretary of the Navy
Daniels is expected to designate the three
line officers and two staff officers who
will compose a commission called for in
the new naval appropriation bill ito in
vestigate and report upon the necessity.
desirabiiity, and ACCESSIBILITY OF improv-
ing existing or establishing an additional
navy yard or naval station on the At
lantic Coast south Of Cape Hatteras, or
on or near the United States coast OF
the Gulf of Mexico, or IN the Caribbean
Sea OF a character adequate for the
proper naval defense of that portion of
the country"
The report will also deal with all the
information of like character as to the
Pacific Coast. The commission also will
investigate and report as to the necessity,
desirability and advisability of establish
ing submarine and aviation bases on the
Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico. and Pacific
Coasts, and other possessions OF the
United States, and as to the cost and
location thereof.
The sum of $4,000 is appropriated to
defray the expenses of the commission.
including drafting, technical, and clerical
assistance in the Navy Department or
elsewhere. The commission is also eX-
pected to touch upon the necessity OF
an additional naval academy, the estab-
lishment of which has been frequently
proposed by Midwestern and Western
politicians.