New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-18
Says American Aviators
May Turn Tide
of War
Sky Programme
Calls for Billion
Thousands of Planes To
Be Sent for 1918
Campaign
tFrom The Tribune Buresul

Washington, June 17.-There was
every indication tonight that the full
strength of the Administration, with
all the influence in Congress which
that implies, would be exerted to make
possible speedy execution of the avia-
tion plans Of the aircraft board Of the
Council Of National Defence.
These plans now contemplate an ini-
tial appropriation of s600O00,000, the
building Of thousands OF training ma
chimes, the teaching of 5000 young
aviators or more if possible each year
and eventually the building of battle
planes to the limit of the capacity of
American industry-battle planes which
will be as sturdy and as fast as the
very best now used on the battle fronts.
To Spend Billion
By next spring, at the beginning OF
the campaign of 1918, it is the purpose
of the United States literally to smoth-
er the Germans in the air. 1t probably
will cost more than billion dollars,
but efficiency in the air means the
saving of thousands of lives in the
trenches and a quick ending Of the
war.
President Wilson has been asked TO
lend his personal influence to forward
the great air programme. A statement
made by the Secretary Of War tonight
has cheered those who are working for
air supremacy, because it is demon
stration that the Administration in
fuence is already at work.
"The War Department is behind the
aircraft plans with every ounce OF
energy and enthusiasm at its com
mand," Secretary Baker pledged.
"We can train thousands of aviators
and build thousands os machines" he
continued, without interfering in the
slightest with the plans for building
up our armies and for supplying the
Allies with food and munitions. To
train and equip our armies and send
them abroad will take time, however
and in the meanwhile we can be devot-
ing TO this most important service vast
quantities of productive machinery
and skilled labor which otherwise
could not be contributing to the ma
tons cause in full proportion to its
capacity.
"Will Put Us on Our Mettle"
every consideration points to the
effectiveness of a highly developed air
service in its relation TO the part which
the United States can play in putting
an end to the war. II lives up to all
Americas traditions of doing things
on a splendid scale; il will put US on
our mettle from the point of view both
of mechanical ingenuity and Of indi-
vidual daring and initiative.
AT the same time, compared with
the transportation Of an expeditionary
force of infantry and artillery large
enough TO be of decisive value on the
Western front, it offers little or no
difficulty. All through the coming year
we shall have TO reckon with the ship
ping problem, and whatever aid We
send abroad, whether in men or in sup
plies, must be calculated for securing
as efficient a use as possible of avail
able tonnage.
"The aircraft plan meets the de-
mands of the situation. Under exist
ing conditions of fighting, where the
Allies and the Germans are fighting on
practically even terms as regards man
power and aircraft, the addition which
we can contribute to the Allied forces
will be proportionately of far greater
value than the imn nediate aid which we
can furnish on land. According to the
best obtainable information there are
about 100000 men on the Western
front to-day. The addition of few
infantry units, while Of great moral
value, would amount to little in fore
ing decision. A few thousand trained
aviators, however, with the machines
for their use, may spell the whole diff
ference between victory and defeat.
Must Command the Air
"The supremacy of the air, in mod
ern warfare, is essential TO success
full army. America must make sure
that the Allies and not Germany
secure the permanent domination OF
the air, and that within the year.
at will take no more shipping space
to send thousand air pilots abroad
than a thousand infantrymen; il will
take no more space to send airplanes
and motors than to send artillery. II
is now certain that if we make the
effort we can send enough of both men
and machines within a year to be Of
great value, perhaps to turn the scale,
all without handicapping our plans for
the army which is to follow or him
dering the vital flow of food and mu-
nitions.
American airmen and airplanes may
turn the tide-then furnish our su-
preme opportunity for immediate SER
vice on the fighting line"