El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-08-30
Big Fire Control Agitation
OfWIOrLdAndMaReRuLesT To
GoUern CommerceIn TheAir

II ONDON. Eng. Aug. 30.-The inter
Il national control Of world com
mercial aviation IS vested IN the five
big pOwers-the United States, Great
Britain. France, Italy and Japan-ac-
cording TO a convention just signed at
Paris. The air treaty. which viii be
administered by a subchamber Of the
league OF nations, lays down general
principles for air navigation in peace
time. defines the limited international
rights TO the air, provides rules for
international al intercourse, tells
what IS prohibited in such transport.
lays certain duties upon the interna-
tional commission for air navigation,
suggests responsibilities for signatory
states TO further commercial aviation
and provides for amendment OF this,
the worlds first air charter.
Air navigation has opened a new
chapter in world relations Ships have
entered other nations ports, some na-
tionals have travelled in foreign lands
in their own automobiles, but never
before have nations faced the prospect
Of widespread travel by air. which
simply Oblterates national isolation
and vaults artificial frontiers.
The air convention, the result Of the
British air ministry's initiative and
largely the work OF Mai. Gen Seely.
under secretary OF the state for air.
troler general Of civil aviation does
not affect the action OF signatory
states either as belligerents or neu-
trails.
For the first time in the history OF
international agreements the five
British dominIons are regarded as
states. each having a representative
on the international commission This
commission also marks departure in
international arrangements. since il
can act as a legislative body, amend
ing the air covenant
Affects America Little.
Since development OF aerial commu-
nication and transportation by the
United States will be largely internal,
the air covenant does not concern
America as much as Europe. where
nations are as thickly strewn as
American states But the United
States Is a signatory and the air char
ter Is destined TO rule the worlds traf-
fic in cloudland- And the United States
will have certain espOnsibilities in
this connection.
Prohibited transport bars carriage
Of explosives and arms and munitions
by aircraft in international naviga-
ton. Each nation may prohibit or
regulate the use OF Photographic ap-
paratus.
In case Of crime or misdemeanor
committed by one person against an
other on board an aircraft in flight,
the Jurisdiction OF the state flown
over APPLIES only in case the crime IS
committed against a national of such
state and IS followed by a landing
during the same journey unOn Its ter
ritory. Thus the nation which regis-
tiers such aircraft will always have
Jurisdiction in such matters. unless a
landing is made as provided
No Favored Nation.
There viii be no most favored ma
ton" clause as regards treatment OF
aircraft For instance. public aero
dromes must charge the same rates to
all aircraft. whether foreign OF do
nestle
General principles laid down pro-
vide that CONTRACTING states recognize
that every nation has complete and
exclusive sovereignty in the air space
above its territory or territorial wat
ers. but in time OF Deace. freedom Of
innocent passage must be granted to
aircraft Of CONTRACTING parties. Thus
Is the freedom Of the air" defined.
Such reEula tions as a nation may
make regarding aircraft shall amply
70 other nations without distinction.
Aircraft that unavoidablv get above
restricted areas must land nearby i'm
mediately-
Every aircraft in international COM
merce must be REGISTERED and certified
as airwortbv. while niIots must pos
sess certificates Of coincidence No
aircraft shall carry wireless without
a sDecial permit issued by the state
whose nationality the aircraft posses
ses. Only licensed wireless operators
shall use sUch aDparatus.
May Cross States
Every aircraft has the right to cross
another nation without landing. n II
follows the route fixed by the nation
so flown over Vet such aircraft must
lend y signal1ed 70 DO so. Certain
aerodon1es NAV he DESIGNATED 3 land
inp stations for foreign aircraft
Each contracting state shall have