The Cordova daily times., 1919-06-17
TUESDAY, JUNE IF, 1919.
HAWKER'S DISAPPOINTING ATTITUDE .,

When Harry G. Hawker's rescue was reported all the world rejoiced. There was not one discordant note. By no other tribute could humanity have so emphatically and unequivo- cally voiced its genuine appreciation of the daring of his remarkable effort to fy across the Atlantic. The fact that he took no precautions whatever, in the way of arranging for patrol yes sells along the route to providef or his safety in case he should be compelled to descend to the water, had proven conclusively that he, as well as his navigator, Lieutenant Commander Mackenzie Grieve, had the sort of pluck and resolution that always com mands admiration.
 The effort proved Hawker to be a real sportsman, and, if he had won in his desperate plunge through the ether. America would have given him unstinted praise, even though the achievement would have somewhat doomed the glory of the accomplish ments of our own naval aviators, who were then en route to Europe with every evidence of a successful trip. However, Hawker was playing game in which there were at least a hun dred chances to one against him, and he lost. It was but natural for him to feel deeply disappointed over his failure, especially since, as it now appears, itw as due to no fault of his own but to engine trouble of sort which could hardly have been anti cipated. And then too, for the Ameri- can plane (the NC4) to complete the trip so quietly and so provokingly soon after his misfortune-before even the keen edge of his disappointment had been dulled by time, was also hard for him to bear. However, even though these facts are appreciated, 1t is a real disappointment to find, judg- ing from press dispatches, that Harry Hawker is not a good loser; that he really lacks in that quality which IS so essentially part of the thorough sportsman, the ability to lose grace fully as we'll as to win daringly. The report that in London Hawker spoke disparageingly of the great feat of the NC-4 in successfully completing the last leg of the transatlantic trip is distinct disappointment to America, as ii doubtless is to England and all the world. No one appreciates real sportsmanship, or possesses more Of the genuine article, than does Briton, and it is significant of this fact that the London audience before which Hawker made his unfortunate remarks which audience, by the way, had few minutes before heartily cheered the news of the arrival of the NC-4 at Lisbon, Portugal-greeted his un- sportsmanlike words with absolute sl- 1ence. Doubtless Hawker was over wrought at the moment, ana yielueu momentarily only to an impulse at var lance with his finer instincts. regret ting it keenly moment later. At any rate there is no question as to the genuineness of his courage in facing almost certain death for the accom- plishment of great purpose, and 1t IS hoped that the incident cited will not seriously be-djm the glory Of his great effort or deter him from the final ac' complishment of his purpose of dem onstrating to the world that 8 non stop trans Atlantic flight Is possible not merely as stunt, but as a regular commercial transportation arrange ment.
 sol nlER0' AND 9AlLoR0' FARM