The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-23
GOOD WORK IN FRANCE.
AlRPLANE BUILDERS WILL RE
ENCOURAGED.
American Secretary OF War Highly
Pleased I'm Visit to- Aviation Gen.
ter.

Associateu PreSS) OF War
Baker I'm leaving an aviation center
said:
Just before leaving America / in
vestigated the progress Of our avia-
ton program. 1 found our manufac-
turers enthusiastic as to the outcome
When they learned of the preparations
which have been made i'm France for
the utilization of the material which
they send. they will have a further in
centive to speed up their efforts
Upon level fields. which were with
out single building when we laid
out a spur track from a neighboring
station. has arisen city of barracks
Offices. shops and hangers with a pop
ulation OF Americans. entirely occupied
as a training school for aviation. In
this. as i'm all our other preparation
I'm France. We have aimed at a force
commensurate with our part in assist
Ing the French and British and in
gaining the complete. unbroken mas
terry OF the air which is one of the
prime requisites. IL not the prime re-
ouisite for victory.
THE spirit OF every man in this
camp seems I'm keeping with the mis-
sion which brought him 20 France.
The camps appointments and organ
ization are admirable. IL is gratify-
ing to learn from their French in
structors that our young aviators are
proving themselves daring. cool and
skillful."
Secretary Baker Is making import
ant decisions In France upon such
questions as In his Judgment require
Immediate action. He Is gathering
knowledge for future use upon many
aspects OF the situation OF the Amer
lean army. but problems pressing for
a settlement he solves on the spot
Thus today in the headquarters OF
one or the American aviation centers,
Secretary Baker inquired IL all OF the
host of aviators sent first from Amer
lea were first TO complete their train
ing In France and " all OF them had
been commissioned. The chief OF
aviation told the secretary that all OF
them had not yet. because OF rea-
sons which he explained. had chance
TO take their final training.
The secretary went into the subject
lie directed at the conclusion OF the
INJURY. with General Pershing's ap-
proval. that aviators so delayed
should have their commission when
they were ready for them dated ahead
CT those issued in America of men
who had entered the service later. He
said these men had a right to their
priority.
When the secretary's train came
into the aviation region the sky was
darkly overcast ard the clouds were
blue gray color. which the aviation
observers say constitute the finest back
ground for seeing air works. Many
monoplanes and biplanes awaited the
with n rush one after another took
the air. until towards the end of the
morning 100 machines were i'm flight
and every machine was driven by an
American. Individual aviators prac
tieed manouvers used in combat, such
rs reversing the direction of the flight
by turning edgewise upon the wing
or spinning In nose dives Then there
were evolutions In fiotilla formation Of
hves. after that in squadrons OF 15.
with all these machines in the
air." remarked French officer, we
see no more than "a tenth of what
America has In this one school. You
Will soon have no more need for
french instructors.
we have shown everything we
Know and your young mon nave
taken to the art with astonishing
facility. as well as audacity. merry,
ana resource. The danger arG diff
hcnlties foscinate and inspire them. |
think II must bo what you call tie
sporting spirit"
Yes" said one OF MIR. Baker's
party so many of these men are d,.
rect from our colleges and un,vcrsi .
teS' They are football and baseball
players"
Secretary Baker discussed with vari-
Gus OF the aviators themselves the
difference between the machines. lie
brought to the subjee, much knowI-
edge of details and unvaried interest.
He spent many hours with them eN.
amining the types OF machine. many