New-York tribune., 1918-03-19
Baker lnspects
American Flying
Field in France I
Secretary Of War Praises
Progress Made by
Men Abroad
Finds Men Skilful
Gathers Information and De-
cides Many Questions Press
ing for Settlement
Finds Men Skilful
fEy The Associated Press ]

ON BOARD SECRETARY BAkEK ,
SPECIAL TRAIN IN FRANCE, Satur-
day, March 16-The American Secre-
tary of War is making important decl-
sions 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 American army, but
problems pressing for a settlement he
solves on the spot.
Thus, to-day in the headquarters of
one of the American aviation centres
he inquired if all of the aviators sent
first from America were first to COM
plete their training in France, and If
all of them had been commissioned
The chief of aviation told the Secre-
tary that all of them had not yet been,
because they had not yet had chance
to take their final training.
The Secretary went closely into the
subject. He directed at the conclusion
Of the inquiry, with General Pershlngs
approval, that aviators so delayed /
should have their commissions, when
they were ready for them, dated Gay
ahead of those issued in America to
men who had entered the service later,
because these men had right to their
priority.
Many Machines in Air
When the Socretary's train arrived in
the aviation region the sky was over
cast and the clouds were Of blue
! gray coior, which the aviation observ-
ers saw constitutes the finest back
ground for seeing air work. Many
monoplanes and biplanes awaited the
Secretary's arrival upon the field.
4 Then with a rush one after another
took the air, until toward the end of
the morning a hundred machines were
in flight, and every machine was driven
by an American. Individual aviators
practised mannuvrcs used IN combat,
such as reversing the direction of the
fight by turning edgewise upon one
wing or spinning nose dives. Then
IL there we've evolutions in formations or
e fivcs, and after that in squadrons OF
Il fifteen.
- "With all these machines in the air, "
~ , remarked a French officer, eve see
= no more than tenth of what America
= has in this one school. You will soon
=. have no more need for French instruc-
ton. We have shown everything we
- know, and your young men have taken
to the art with astonishing facility,
~ as well as audacity, nerve and re-
lf source. The danger and difficulties
h Fascinate and inspire them. l think it
% must be what you call the sporting
20 spirit"
" " "Yes,' said one of Mr. Bakers party,
~ $50 many Of these men are direct from
~ our colleges and universities. They are
g. football and baseball Players"
s. Spent Hours With Men
+ Secretary Baker discussed with vari-
N Gus of the aviators the differences be-
n tween the machines. He brought to
the subject much knowledge of detail.
Is He spent hours talking with the men
le and examining with them the types of
ID machines, some of which he saw for
the first time.
r The closing incident of the morn
rs ings air training was combat and the
al escape of one plane when attacked
Y The Secretary watched with intense in
l. terest. He then visited Che machine
IS shops and sctting-up shops and the
storage buildings.
n After leaving the aviation field Sec
Y retary Baker said:
2 Just before leaving America [ in
II vcstlgatcd the progress Of our aviation
"a programme. found our manufacturers
l. enthusiastic as to the outcome. When
they learn of the preparations which
- have been made in France for the
20 utilization Of the material which they
send they will have further incentive
to speed up their efforts
Upon level fields, which were with
81 out single building when we laid out
~ ~ spur track from a neighboring sta
q ton, has risen city of barracks, Of
in fees, shops and hangers, with a popu-
lation of Americans, entirely occupied
hit as a training school for aviation In
IN IN this, as III all our other preparations ir
as a., France, we have aimed at a force com
mensuratc with our part in assisting
the French and British and in gaining
the complete, unbrokcn mastery of the
lp air, which is one of the prime requi
o, OF sites, if not the prime requisite, fol
h sh victory
al al THE spirit of every man in this cam1
Of seems in keeping with the miss or
which brought him to France The
ce camps, appointments and organization
sc sc are admirable. 1t is gratifying to learr
yc from their French instructors that oul
~ young aviators are proving themselve:
he daring, cool and skilful."
he Since Secretary Baker went to Franc,
he it has been disclosed in Washington
,a and not controverted officially, that tn,
al aviation programme is seriously behint
re the schedule laid out some months ago
we Figures given in competent quarter
no are that the programme IS IA per cen
-, behind what it should be to day, whil
to certain critics Of the Administration
es have intimated that even this is al
ur oversangune statement Of the position
y Italy and Serbia in