Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-28
AMERICAN AIR CADETS
INSPIRE italian PEOPLE
Youth and Enthusiasm Of Those ct
Naval School Give Evidence Of
Spirit in Entering War.
BY EDGAR ANsEL MowRER.

BY EDGAR ANSEL MOWRER.
Cablegram to The Sunday Star and
chicago Daily News. Copyright. 1913.
SOMEWHERE IN ITALY. April IT
(delayed).-Beside a tree-roofed road
leading to q lane now renamed by the
friendly Inhabitants Avenue Of the
United States" the naval flying school
hangers spread along the sandy shore.
The school is italian. the commander is
italian and most of the instructors are
Italian. but the majority Of the stu
dents are American. 1t is a picked
group Of tall. good looking young men.
learning to fly these Italian aero
planes. which by many are Judged to
be the best in the world.
Most of the Americans are cadets
and will be given commissions as en-
signs when they obtain pilots brevets
and pass an examination in flying
theory. Some already are commits
stoned, but as yet they are imperfect
fliers. The most accomplished among
them were enlisted on this side after
serving in various ambulance ana
civilian field services. Six are Chi
cagoans. Their names are taboo. but
may say that one is second in COM
mand and is known as the executive
officer.
Commander Taught Japanese.
The youth and enthusiasm of these
men are so fresh that they have
brought to this country q realisation
of the spiritual forces which America
is pouring into the war. and this per-
hapS Is more important than any mate
rial aid. Tho commander is a famous
who taught flying to the Japanese:
Under him the men are certain to get
the best instruction and all possible
care. The single death that occurred
was beyond human power to avoid.
The commanders zeal is obvious. He
reached the camp on February 10 and
found not single hangar completed;
yet the first flight was made February
in hours per day has probably exceeded
any other aviation camp, wherever it
may be situated. Some Of the students
have already obtained their first bre-
vets and are nearly ready to stand the
second test. They are all rated. as uni
formed, as cadets. Although they mess
apart, they receive Officers food and
treatment. They live in wooden shacks
along the Avenue of the United
several rooms. Each room Is inhabited
by two men. who have iron beds, q
dresser and a table.
Camp Beautifully Situated.
The camp is situated in one Of the
most beautiful parts of Italy. with wide
sweeping hills.
ARE you satisfied with conditioner" I
asked. The reply of every one was the
same.
THE Italians do everything in their
power to make US comfortable and
help us learn. From the commander
down they are untiring in their ef-
forts to make US feel at home. Some of
us have been in France. All say that
we have equally good instruction,
more flying, and perhaps better planes
than the students elsewhere"
Aviation camp life 10 now an old
story. but as we wandered from shack
to shack, talked with fellows from all
parts of our broad land. and realized
how eager they were to be flying, and
how many hope that they Will be sent
to the Italian sea front as soon az
they are ready. we understood the in
telligent interest they show in the
political as well as the military side
Of war. and compared them with their
Italian instructors, most Of whom are
seasoned flyers with blue medals for
valor. My heart glowed with enthu-
siasm OF an optimist. We Americans
have enthusiasm and material means
The allies have experience and wisdom.
The combination of both must be ir-
resistible.