The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-24

NJ than at standstIll in aeronau p
w commercial aviation the other
side of the Atlantic has been established on a
vast and practical scale and is forging ahead
with rapidity that indicates the day is not
far distant when only transoceanic passenger
and freight lines will be needed to fulfil even
the most extravagant dreams of the pioneers
in flying. Not the least striking phase of the
situation is the fact that the pioneers were
Americans Other nations have outstripped
America in developing a great American in
vention-the airplane.
The nations which are making such prog
ress while America, despite huge appropria-
tons for air service during the war. is now
marking time, are mindful that the passen-
ger and freight aerial lines to the fight
ing forces of the future what the merchant
marine is to the navy-and more. Henca
not only pride in achievement and CONNER
cial advancement are motives for the enter
prise in which the United States is so lam
entably tagging, but national safety, too
is involved Mastery of the air in peace time
builds a foundation for mastery of the air in
war. And the world war demonstrated that
future conflicts are likely to be won in the
air.
New First Line of Defence.
Marshal Foch of France has acknowledged
that in the future mastery of the air would
necessarily precede the movement of armies.
while Great Britain is acting upon the the
DRY that the air service has become the first
line of defence with the navy occupying the
second line.
The American Government is not in pos
session of appropriations made by Great
Britain, France and Japan for air service
for the ensuing fiscal year. but the appro-
priauons made for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1920, give a clear line on what is
happening in those countries. In the face
Of the reliance which is being placed upon
the air service in those countries and the
money that is being appropriated for air
service purposes. the United States seems in
the amateur class
The American appropriation for the fiscal
year ending June 30. 1921. is S35 900 900. This
Is little more than what is necessary for
maintenance and the experimentation that
is being conducted at the Dayton field.
For the fiscal year which ended June 30.
1920, Great Britain appropriated E15.000, 900.
France appropriated 500 600 600 francs, while
Japan appropriated 5000. 100000 for a seven
year programme which still has six yeais
to run. IL is suspected here that by making
their Appropriation cover a seven year period,
the japanese concealed n tremendous adj
venture in aeronautics, possibly using most
of the appropriation for the first year
More Watchful Waiting.
So far as the general policy of the United
states army Is concerned relative 10 the air
service, there Is little more than policy Of
'watchful waiting" II is described as con-
sisting generally In the maintenance OF the
present material and furnishing necessary
air service to the different branches OF the
army such as the Coast Artillery. Field AR
tillery &c, keeping abreast OF the times by
conduct Of tests OF material developed by
other countries and continuance OF expert
mental work tending TO advance the art of
aviation. Included In this programme is the
maintenance and development of lighter
than-air material, such as balloons and
drigbes. Also the maintenance OF a strong
ORGANIZATION trained airmen. pilots and OBJ
servers and the building up Of an air per-
sonnet under the Air Service
So far as the maintenance Of present ma
terial Is concerned. this almost approaches
the realm Of an academic theory for most Of
the material has become antiquated
Some Of this material serves useful pur-
pose In training, .but would be OF little value
for war purposes. One asset still remaining
In the possession of the Government consists
OF approximately 10000 Liberty motors.
These motors were not satisfactory for fly
Ing In high attitudes, but use is being made