The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-22
AVIATORS DEFIANCE OF
DEATH THRILLS JAPANESE
Art Smith Presented With Gold Medals at Tokio-War
Office Discussing Extending Work of Fliers as
Result of Exhibition by American.

the 4 when the individual valor forms
the component part Of tho business. In
classic days, when the issue Of the bat
tie was mainly decided by swords and
spears. a brave fighter could always
easily distinguish himself by dauntless
acts performed on the field. The terror
OF his arms once made known. his very
name In sufficient to awestrike his adj
versaries. who would fec before him
without going even so far as to cross
swords.
1T is interesting to learn that similar
Phenomena prevail in the aerial con.
Met or the present days. A dreadful
tighter II Immediately identified by the
form or the aeroplane he rides. The SUI
perior management OF his plane will
drive terror home to his inferior oppo-
nents. IL such be the case. loop flights
must be essentially important for the
aerial warriors who want to get upper
hand OF their antagonists. because its
constant training will enable the plane
riders to effect quicker motions upward
downward without having to fear
the difficulty attending the restoration
OF equilibrium.
Loop Nights mean something more
han q more acrobatic feat, quite neces-
sary. as Mr.. Smith asserts It. from the
standpoint OF military aviators."
When Baron Sakatani descended from
49, Nts III ADVANCED from
his seat on the left side. ushered by Mr.. |
kushibiki. the manager OF his perform
ance. After receiving the medal with
an American smile he addressed the
words OF thanks. The fearless hero OF
the air behaved like a timid virgin be-
Tore the hospitable audience. With his
knees visibly shaking. he recited n very
fiowery piece OF composition which hi.
wonderful Interpreter had the pre-
paredness" to translate without omit
ting n single article.
The press aviation club. organized BY
many journalists interested in the pro.
motion OF flying In Japan. also took this
opportunity to thank Mr.. Smith for all
he was doing for tho advancement OF
aviation In this country. They presented
him with a handsome gold medal
Advice 70 U. ;. Aviatsrs.
IN Japanese correspondent Of THE
sun has a disinterested warning to give
American aviators DESTROYS Of visiting
Japan In future. They will have to bit
terly repent II ~ they fail TO appreciate
the seriousness Of my meaning.
IL you come here with the purpose OF
attaining any monetary gain. / am sure
you will be sorely disappointed. When
Mr.. Niles first displayed his wonderful
skill at Aoyama there were no less than
100000 spectators. about three times as
large as those for Mr.. Smith.
Aviation feats belong to the category
OF the so-called free goods In economic
sciences. Who would be so foolish as
TO pay for admission into the dust suf-
locating parade ground. when We can
Just as well enjoy the thrilling sight
from the adjacent green verdure that
furnishes us with the best natural
cushion OF soft grass for no charge
This Is the condition OF Toxic. Again,
tn 1~aay
a low class peasant car defray his sub
sistence at the rate Of $3.50 per month.
When Mr.. Niles few in wakayama
province newspapers told us his manager
could not charge more than half a cent
on each spectator who applied for ad-
mission.
Again the nationwide welcome given
Mr.. Smith Is not so much due to his
SIKH as an aviator as to his dauntless
courage to confront the sure dealt with
the iron determination OF classical
heroes. Had II not been for the terrible
wind on the third day of his flights. ever
myself would never have thought Of
writing anything about It. for my limited
vocabulary OF English language had
been practically exhausted In the praise
OF Mr.. Niles as an ideal aviator. Japa-
nese psychology turns upon the question
OF death. which Is In some sense a scale
to measure the intrinsic value Of a man.
We Japanese have always thought our
selves the most fearless OF death OF all
the peoples OF the earth. Any man.
however great in other respects. II only
once he shrinks from the jaws OF death.
no matter why. he will be treated as a
man not even worth his salt to live.
Now, Mr.. Smith has shown himself
as fearless OF death as any OF us. per-
haps even more. This strongly appealed
10 the Japanese sentiment. as / person
ally experience in my case. When I
condemned my W weakness. TO have
been carried almost crazy by the I'M
preston OF the moment. a high official
Of the Foreign once replied with a SYM
pathetic smile "My dear hoy. 1t is
not you alone. I was also deeply moved
by tho divine subl!mity OF his attitude.
I can aspire after a ~marquisate or
p~rincedom. but not to be a second
Smith"
JOHN CHERRY (TAHo HAcHINo).