The sun., 1919-06-22

sea. So long as the shores Of the
North Atlantic are occupied by the
leading civilized peoples SO long the
British position is advantageous as a
centre Of sea power. But II air power
is to usurp to any degree the place Of
sea power--and this seems probable so
long as flight over land holds appreci-
able advantages over flight over sea,
which is the case under conditions as
they exist to-day-then the position OF
a country placed centrally as regards
land must be superior to the position
of a country placed centrally as re-
CARDS water. The British Isles are
badly placed for aerial communication.
Other nations bar tho access to the
great land masses associated to form
the British Empire. A clear right OF
way free from restriction across
France and Italy and Spain Is essen
tial to effective progress in inter-
colonial air communications. Our self
interest. therefore, as great power
lies toward an international settle
ment of air sovereignty" Supremacy
in the air at the very start will figure
potently in adjusting this "interna-
tional settlement
An AnyaIsis OF the Problem.
The interim report OF special COM
mittee No. concludes in this manner
its analysis OF the airplane:
THAT for commercial success speed
is probably the most material factor.
THAT for commercial success the
speed needed depends very greatly on
the conditions Of competing methods
Between large centres connected by
direct high speed railways ground
speeds of 100 miles an hour are de-
sirable, but for linking places between
which the railway service Is slow or
interrupted by sea crossings lower
speeds will be found commercially
practicable.
THAT at present stages OF about
500 miles would be the normal limit,
but that II will be desirable from the
commercial point OF view that stages
should be as long as possible.
THAT 1t Is desirable as speedily as
possible to develop the existing facili-
ties for night flying, especially for the
carriage of mails.
THAT heavy loading is necessary
for commercial success, but since this
will involve a high landing speed de-
velopment OF land and air brakes is
necessary.
THAT in view Of certain disadvan.
tages of high landing speed efforts
should be made to keep loading as low
as possible consistent with securing
commercial rate OF speed and 10
provide for aerodroInes and landing
places possessing the best possible sur
faces, and that It may we'll be hoped
that future inventions and improve
ments in design will enable a lower
landing speed to be attained without
sacrifice of flying speed"
In regard to the nature OF the
freight likely TO be carried the British
investigators have something to say
that should be OF interest to US be-
cause OF our widespread area and the
great diversity OF our products. COM
modities and needs. To quote: at is
more difficult to settle the reasonable
expectation OF general goods trafic,
which must take the form OF express
parcels usually OF small weight. Furs.
lace, Jewels, precious metals. extracts,
essences, valuable feathers, &c, might
be carried by air because of their high
value; also rare and out of season
fruits and vegetables, flowers and per-
ishable articles generally. Newspapers
and periodicals afford scope for aerial
services, because news grows stale
quickly. Drugs, dyes. chemicals, med
icines, optical and surgical and other
instruments will be so carried. as often
these are wanted gu ckiy, Wherever.
for want Of some article. life is en-