Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-06-17
Europc sixteen Hours Away


THERE is glory enough for all in the first
! two transatlantic air flights. and in those
that will follow as matter of course until
the crossing is merely routine, daily occur
renee which arouSeS no more curiosity than
the arrival of train. America, where the
airplauc was invented and developed, rejoices
in the success Of the Britisher, Captain AL
cock, in accomplishing the first nonstop
fight, and it has a peculiar pride in the
achievement because his sole companion and
navigator was an American. Nor is il any
the less enthusiastic because America itself,
through its Navy Department with the NC-i.
achieved the first real crossing of the Atlantic
by air. Both voyages over that waste of
waters will go down in history for all time
each as marvellous and as epoch-makng az
was the voyage Of that other fearless adven-
turer more than four centuries ago.
In tie two air flights, made within few
days OF each other, there was great differ
ence although they had the same general
object-to demonstrate the practicabiiity or
the ocean air passage. The American exploit
was carried to its conclusion with all care,
every detail was scientifically arranged,
string of boats guarded the course, nothing
was left TO chance that could be made sure.
and there prize to be gained beyond
the valuable data that might be obtained 10
make succeeding voyages safer and easier.
In the fight Of the big Vckcrs-Fmy plane
everything was left to chance except the skill
OF its two-man crew and the reliability OF the
motor. Ii was really sporting proposition,
in which the gamble was between life and
$4,000 purse, with all the glory that sue
cessful daring brings to brave men. Perhaps
the results Of the nonstop flight will be as
valuable those of the NC-4, though carried
out in such dissimar manner. However,
1 III Il ,ltb ,,ob fbo1y brinx
increased honor TO the men who had the stout
hearts to accept them.
Both flights have demonstrated that the
ocean voyage is possible, still there must be
a large development yet before the argosies
of everyday commerce use the air routes in
preference TO those of the water. But that
day is coming. and it is not so far cry to
that as it was from the day the Wright broth
crs first left the ground in their heavier-than-
air machine to the first flight between the
continents.
The world at large will read its lesson in
the flights and interpret it In terms of changed
transportation conditions. To the United
States there is an added lesson, and it must
be studied seriously and with understanding.
Again the distance from Europe has been
more than cut in twain. Now, indeed, it may
be said in truth that it's isolation has been
obliterated. With Europe only sixteen hours
away ii has new problems to meet. 1t has
been drawn into the very heart of the family
of nations, and its future must be more care
fully guarded. 1t becomes more than ever
obvious that the only sa fety IN peace lies in
the league of nations. If that is defeated or
proves not the success its supporters predict,
then America must shape its course that
its air fleets will be second to none in the
world, since for it time and distance no longer
exist. With such demonstrated vital facts be-
fore it. Congress will be willfully and crmi-
nay rcnliss in its duty if it follows the course
it seems to have mapped out and cuts the
aviation appropriation down to figure where
the service will sagnate and die, while other
nations pushing their air development TO
the utmost limits Of their power.