New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-16
By GILBERT SELDES

LONDON, Sept. 1o.-Ths first regular
international aerial parcel post sys-
TEN in tho world has been in action
since last November. Although its
existence as q common carrier has not
yet been legalized, it has been doing
a successful business for more than
half a year, and the dream Of genera
tions has come true unnoticed. People
have been so much interested in the
freight carried By this aerial agency
that they have neglected the miracle
of the agency itself.
For very good reason. The freight
is bombs. The route is Berlin TO Lon
don. The promoters Of the new deliv-
cry system are the aerial experts OF
the German High Command. To be
accurate, the starting point is some
where within the German lines in Bel
GUM, and the delivery point is any
where in England where the Germans
think they can do mischief. Also, the
carriers are using bad business prin-
ciples, because they take back very
little freight-nothing but a few
photographs.
These are wartime considerations.
The essential thing is that an air
route has been established between
Belgium and England, and the route Is
being used with growing regularity.
The military success or failure OF the
enterprise does not matter IN the
least.
For tho world after the war the
existence Of the route matters ire
mendously.
Other routes are being used on occa-
sions. The famous route from Eng
land to France is Unique in one re-
specific carriers deliver nothing but
themselves. Accidents have occurred,
as in the case of the airman who mis-
took Lille Gin German hands, for his
destination and presented the Ger.
mans with a particularly fine type oil
British biplane, not to mention a par
ticularly fine type Of (but rather care
less) British airman. But IN general
this route is success. Thousands OF
planes have passed over it and into &C
tive service.
Still other routes are being laid out.
One is French-Verdun to Essen. Ger
many has several lines radiating from
military centres to various points
along all her fronts. And it is hardly a
secret to say that the transatlantic
route, of which Lieutenant Porte was
the pioneer, back in the early days of
1914, can be made a reality. any day
now. By report the plan is in ex-
istence; the route is Ireland to 81.
Johns, Newfoundland; the time will
be something like sixteen hours. a
long fight for a biplane, but not i'm
possible if you carry petrol instead OF
half ton of bombs.
The final battles of the war probably
will be fought in air. The first battles
of peace almost certainly will be
fought there. Proof OF that already is
at hand in the proposals which re-
Gently have been laid before the gov
ernments of all the federal states of
Germany, and of Austria-Hungary,
Turkey and Bulgaria. These propose IS
are for complete commercial air
service from Hamburg to as far south
as Germany will be able to 90 after
the war. In Germany they speak of it
as the new archaeological route.
British Have Big Plan
At the same time, almost on the
same day, series Of proposals was
made to the British public by Lord
Montagu Of Beaulieu, former chair
man of the Air Board and an author
ity on all matters pertaining 70 aero
nautics. In substance Lord Montagu's
proposals suggested route rival to
that planned in Germany.
The German scheme still concen-
trates on Zeppelins. The Central Eu-
ropean international Aerial Traffic
Company, for which a charter is asked,
proposes TO establish airlines for
transport of passengers, mail and
freight, covering the German Empire
and its allies, and leading gradually
20 fresh commercial relations with
present neutrals and even enemies in
the south of Europe and in Asia. Some
of the separate routes contemplated
are these:
The Grand Circle, embracing Alsacs-
Lorraine (the French may have some
north coast, Poland. Galicia, Trieste,
,.
Three main routes TO Vienna, one each
from Hamburg, Berlin and Strasburg.
From Vienna via Budapest to Con-
stantinople.
Three cross routes and FIVE side
routes, all with Berlin as a centre. and
taking the whole German Empire as the
circumference OF the circle
OF these one is paramount in i'm
Il, =
Constantinople.
Opposed to this mid-European system
is Lord Montagu's plan. which natural
ly, is concerned with Europe and Asia.
II assumes the use of planes, and liza
landing stages are much further apart
than the $50 miles proposed By the
Germans. The main trunk lire OF the
British system is from London 20
OF the northern and southern routes,
going and coming:
I-Southern Route to India
First day-Croydon london, depart
7 a. m; Marseiles (G25 miles,, arrive
1880 noon, depart 1880 .. H.; Naples
Ass miles,, arrive s p. m. Total, LILO
miles.
Second ay-Naples, depart 7 a. NJ;
west coast OF Crete 600 niles, arrive
1915 noon, depart I:I5 p. M: Alex
sndris ass miles,, arrive 5:45 ?. m.
Total, LIPS miles.
Third day-Aleyandria. depart 7 a.
NJ; Jof $50 miles, arrive Il noon, de-
part p. M; Basra AGO miles,, arrive
) p. m. Total, l,040 miles.
Fourth day-Basra, depart a. m:
Bandar Abbas (575 miles,, arrive II
noon. depart p. m; Karachi $3.50
miles,, arrive $3.50 p. m. Total, 1855
miles