The Washington times., 1917-06-09

Secretary Baker, Officers of the
War College and Brig. Gen. George
o. Squier, chief signal officer of the
army, are studying a plan to strike
telling blow at the German war
machine in France by means of a
tremendous American aeroplane force
capable Of overwhelming opposing
aircraft and ''blinding the eyes of thu
German armies" The plan, elaborate
but practical In every respect, has
progressed to the point of exchanges
between the American, British. and
French army leaders. The secrecy
which has shrouded 1t no longer Is
regarded as necessary. In fact, de-
tails OF the plan must be made pub
lie because II Is up to Congress to
provide the necessary funds.
The article In The Times yesterday
advocating 100000 American aero
planes for the western front was de-
scribed by army officers as hitting
the nail on the head" 1t forecast in
many respects precisely what General
SQuier hopes to see accomplished.
Would Blind Germans.
General Squier by reason Of his
position as organizer and so-called
manager Of the nations future avia-
ton forces, is not free to discuss the
matter. There is, however, unques-
tionable authority for the statement
that he indorses the advocacy Of an
immediate and enormous increase Of
this nations aviation forces for the
specific purpose of concentrating 50
many thousand battle machines on
ffrfnr linz Nhak arffIlaFV
will be rendered sightless. The Ger
man military leaders then would be
forced to continue the fight blind
folded" against the allies.
The Importance OF this would be ap-
preciated at once, II IL asserted. II the
public could see some OF the Latest
messages which have come from
French and British strategists now
conducting the war. General Squier
has been making advance prepare
lions for this contingency for weeks.
The groundwork is laid for putting
the actual plan into full operation and
all that is necessary is for General
SqUner to receive word from Secretary
Baker to go ahead" Before Secretary
Baker can give this authority Con-
gress must pledge the necessary funts
which are estimated at about $1,000
900, 900.
Can Strike at Once.
The Bureau Of Ordnance Of the War
Department has received funds of al
most 81 .60o, 000. 900 for work on heavy
ordnance. This IL all important, but
in the oponIon of those interested In
the awaiting program It cannot have
direct bearing on the war operations
for almost two years. II will be some
time before American troops can he
to make their presence
felt in the struggle. But an American
aeronautical force, II Is held, could ex-
ert q tremendous and perhaps decisive \
pressure on the actual lighting within
a few months. As one leading Amer-i
lean army authority phrased Il, "the
effect of American aeronautical forces
in Europe would be felt acutely by
Germany within a week after they
reached French soil.
The first move which General
Squier has completed after weeks OF
labor has been to remove in advance
all impediments to turning the ma
tion's genius and resources to ayia-
ton. Every American manufacturer
now engaged in aeronautical work
has been sounded out. Every manu-
facturer OF engines. automobiles, cleo
trical appliances or what not who
could be Of assistance has been list
d and in thousands OF cases communi-
Gated with.
Ely for Liberty" Motto.
General Squier has concentrated his
energies not on providing an Ameri-
can aeronautIcal force which could
hold Its own with the British or
French but in providing an over
force completely eclipsing
the efforts of the most progressive
OF the European powers. Tens of
thousands OF sviators are part of this
plan. The plans also call for dot
ting the country with aviation
schools, providing speedy but effec-
tive training of hundreds Of avia-
tors Of a wen organized system Of
using each iier to instruct classes
and so on.
Arrangements have been made with
The French government whereby con-
yaIescent American aviators on the j