Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-18
SUPREME OPPORTUNITY
FOR IMMEDIATE SERVICE
Airplanes Must Be Sent t Aid OF
Allies on Western
Front.
PLAN CALLS FOR 5000, ooo, 900
President Wilson Will Approve Estf-
mates, and Whole Strength OF ADJ
m~inistration Will Be Thrown Be-
hind Program for Big Air Force.

WASHINGTON. June 17.-Prcsident
Wilson's approval will be given to csti-
mates which are to go to Congress
this week. calling for an immediate ap-
preparation OF $500. 900. 900 to perfect
the American aircraft program. pro-
jccted by the Council Of National De-
Tense.
The Presidents spokesman In both
houses Will lead a terrific drive for
action at once. The enormous sum to
be asked for will be a continuing pro-
6ram. Secretary OF War Baker, In a
statement tonight, declared that the
War department "is behind the aircraft
plants with every ounce Of energy and
enthusiasm at his command"
The secretary said he was convinced
American airmen and the American
a%irplanes can turn the tide against
Germany. and that the nations ability
to furnish innumerable men and ma
chimes for sir, afforded America her
supreme opportunity for immediate SER
vice on the fighting line. From au-
thoritative sources 1t became known to-
night that leaders in Congress who
formerly have Gasped at suggestions
for a gigantic American air force. have
Impressed on President Wilson AMI his
immediate advisers on war matters
their unstinted support. they having
been fully convinced that the end OF
the war can be FASTENED through pre-
dominance in to air.
SECRETARY BAKER REFLECTS
VIEW OF var COLLEGE
Secretary Baker o-nigh reflected
the view OF the War College. the army
t,nd navy. with the declaration thai
tho United States aid to the allies In
aircraft power will he proportionately
of far greater value now than the aid
which the nation can furnish later on
land.
"a few thousand a~iators with ma
chimes for their use may spell the
whole difference bctween victory and
defeat" said Secretary Baker. The
supremacy or the air in mo Tern war
fare Is essential to a successful army.
America must make sure that the allies
and not Germany secure the rerma-
nent estimation of the air. and that
within the yc:
Secretary Bakers statement. inter
pretcd as n virtual demand OF the ad-
ministration for speedy action by Con-
Eress. was sanctioned by the President
before it was made public. II says:
The War Department Is behind the
aircraft plans with every ounce OF
energy and enthusiasm at its command.
The aircraft program seems by all
means the most effective way In which
10. exert Americas force at once in
telling fashion. VIC can train thou
sands OF aviators and build thousands
of machines without interfering in the
l cli-htnSt with tho n1onc for hnI1dtnr
up our armies and for supplying the
allies with food and munitions. To
train and equip our armies and send
them abroad will taxi time, however.
and in the meanwhile wo can he devot-
Ing to this most important service vast
Quantities OF productive machinery and
skilled labor, which otherwise could
not be contributing to the nations
cause in full proportion to It's capacity.
Every consideration points to the ct-
fcc.ivcness OF mighty developed air SER
vice in it's relation TO the part which
the United States can play in putting
an end to the war. II lives up to all
OF Americas traditions of doin- things
on a splendid scale. II will put US en- 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 trans
poriation OF an expcditionary force
of infantry and artillery large enough
to he Of decisive value on the western
front 1t offers little or no difficulty.
All through the coming year we will
have to reckon with the shipping prob
lem and what aid VIC send abroad
whether in men or supplies. must be
calculated for securing as efficient a
usc as possible of available
The aircraft plan meets the demands
of the situation. Under existing con-
ditions. where the allies and the Ger
mans are fighting on practically even
terms as regards man mower and air
craft. the addition which we can con-
ribute to the ALT forces Will be pro-
~portionately of far greater value than
the immediate aid which we can fur
nish on land.
FEW INFANTRY UNITS
OF VERY LITTLE VALUE
according to the best obtainabIe
Information there are about 1000 900
men on the western front to-day. The
addition Of a few infantry units. while
OF great moral value. means little in
forcing a decision. a few thousand