The sun., 1917-06-18
War Secretary Sees Su-
preme Opportunity for
America in the Sky.
WILSON BEHIND MOVE
Training of Thousands OF
AviatOrs Not to Inter-
fere With Army.
TO PUT L. s. on METTLE
Mechanical Ingenuity and In.
dividual Daring Will Be
Subjected to Test.
TO PUT L. S. on METTLE

WASHINGTON, June 11.---Secretary Of
War Baker In an interview tonight
officially indorsed the plan to put an
overwhelming force Of American air.
planes on the European battlefront in
the shortest possible time.
1t Is understood the War Department
has prepared plans involving the ex-
penditure of 5000. 100000 in the imme-
date construction of a vast fleet OF
airplanes. and that estimates covering
the plans will be forwarded to Congress
shortly. The attitude of Congress, as
indicated by the statements of prominent
members of the House. is that the Gov
ernment will have to offer reasonable
showing of the development of an air
plane engine equal or superior to those
now employed on the European fronts
before Congress will add to the already
large appropriations made for airplane
development.
The statement by Secretary Baker Is
regarded as doubly important SO far an
contamination of the gigantic plan to
put upward OF 100000 airplanes into
action II necessary, because IL shows
behind the proposition. Mr. Baker does
not say this. but it is regarded as
obvious that he knows the Presidents
views and that ne would not advocate
the plan unless the President indorsed
1t. With the Administrations fun in
dorsement 1t is believed the plan will
now become n reality in record breaking
time and that America will be sending
alrplanes and aviators to Europe by the
! thousands within few months
Plans on Huge scale
Secretary Baker in the interview said
The War Department is behind the
aircraft plans with every ounce OF en-
ergy and enthusiasm at its command
the aircraft programme seems by all
means the most effective way in which
70 exert Americas force at once in tell
I ing fashion.
we can train thousands Of aViators
and build thousands of machines with
out interfering in the slightest with the
plans Tor building up our army and for
supplying the Allies with food and
munitions To train and equip our army
and send IL abroad will take time, how
ever. and in the meanwhile we can be
devotng to this most important service
vast quantities of productive machinery
ana skilled labor which otherwise could
not be contributing to the nations cause
IN full proportion to its capacity.
Every consideration points to the ef-
fectiveness 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
splendid scale: It will put us on our
mettle from the point Of view both Of
mechanical ingenuity and of individual
daring and initiative. At the same time
compared with the transportation Of an
expeditionary force Of infantry and ar
tillery large enough to be of decisive
value on the western front Il offers lit
tie or no difficulty. All through the
coming year we shall have TO reckon
with the shipping problem. and whatever
aid we send abroad. whether In men or
in supplies, must be calculated for oh
tanning as efficient a use as possible OF
available tonnage.
Americas Opportunity.
THE aircraft plan meets the demands
OF the situation. Under existing condi-
tons OF fghting. where the Allies and
the Germans are fighting on practically
even terms as regards man power and
aircraft, the addition which we can con-
tribute to the allied air forces will be
proportionately OF far greater value
than the immediate aid which we can
furnish on land
According to the best obtainable in
formation there are about 1000, 900 men
engaged on the western front to-day.
The addition OF a few infantry units,
though of great moral value, will add
little in forcing a decision. 4 few thou
sand trained aviators. however, with the
machines for their use may spell the
whole difference between victory and de-
feat. The supremacy OF the air In mod
ern warfare IL essential to a successful
army. America must make sure that
the Allies and not Germany obtain the
permanent dominion OF the air. and that
within the year.
ut Will take no more shipping space
TO send a thousand air pilots abroad
than thousand infantrymen it will
take no more space TO send airplanes
and motors than to send artillery. II IL
now certain that If we make an effort
We can send enough OF both men and
machines within year to he OF great
value, perhaps TO turn the scale. all
without handcapping our plans for the
army which is TO follow or hindering
the vital flow of food and munitions.
American airmen and airplanes may
turn the tide They furnish our su-
preme opportunity for immediate service