The Washington times., 1924-02-18
us. LOSING OUT
AS BIC AIR
POWER
America, Now in Third Place,
in Danger of Dropping to
Fifth or Sixth.
BY w. +. FULLAM,
Rear Admiral, United States Navy,
Retired.

BY w. f. FULLANI,
Rear Admiral, United States Navy,
Retired.
Copyright. 1894, by Cosmopolitan
News Service.)
The great nations of the world
are making strenuous efforts to
promote air power for war purposes
and for commercial development.
They will very soon outStrip the
United States, unless the people Of
this country and its wide-awake
business men bestir themselves.
The Duke of Sutherland, the
British undersecretary in England's
air ministry, who recently visited
this country, told us of England's
policy. He said that she is to have
fifty-two air squadrons for home
defense. She will spend not less
than 100000 per annum in en-
couraging air lines to connect Eng.
land with the Continent. She will
make a present of all her airships,
which were laid up after the
armistice,. to a private corporation,
and assist that corporation in de-
veloping an airship line to India
and Australia.
The Duke stated that we were
seriously behind European nations
in commercial aviation, due, no
doubt, to our prejudice against sub
sides, fact that will always place
US at disadvantage.
It should be noted that the ire
mendous expansion Of the British
air power does not include her
colonies.
France Strongest In Air.
1t is well known that France has
the biggest air force in Europe.
She has not less than nine airplane
companies and routes connecting
with the various capitals Of Europe.
These are all heavily subsidized.
Premier Mussolini has completely
reorganized the Royal Italian air
force. He recently reviewed 900
military aeroplanes near Rome, and
he has expressed his policy as fol-
lows:
1.-THE other day 800 airplanes flew
over Rome without mishap. Next
year their number will be three
times that figure. We are forced
to embark on this aviation policy.
1t is only necessary to look at the
map to see that Italy can never
have too many planes for self
QSI0nS0.
1t is reported that Russia has at
present 400 airplanes and seaplanes,
together with balloons and airships,
ready for service
Japanese Increase Forces.
The Japanese have devoted great
attention to air power. They are
fast increasing their air forces and
building airplane carriers. There is
big air league supported by the
people Of Japan.
This very brief review gives an
inadequate idea of what nations are
doing. Now contrast with this, the
situation in the United States.
The Secretary Of the Navy
stresses the vital importance of
aircraft in the fleet, and he points
out our serious deficiencies. He
says "the personnel situation in
naval aviation is one which may
be viewed with concern. The situa-
ton with regard to the naval avia.
ton reserve is very much to be de-
plored. Naval aviation should be
expanded to the point where it is
adequate for its service ashore and
afloat."
Admiral Moffett declares that
without additional funds our air
force will soon be totally inadequate
for naval purposes.
The Secretary Of War and Gen
eral Patrick are equally insistent in
advocating appropriations for the
army air service, which is totally
unequal to the demands Of war.
Air Mail Service.
The. air mail, after a marvellous
record of five years, has had
perilous existence for lack Of Con.
gressional support. It's triumph in
getting the mail across the CONT
nent in less than thirty hours, has
not been properly rewarded, and
until the people of this country rally
to the support Of commercial avfa-
ton and air mail service, the
United States will continue to fall
to the rear.
The United States now stands
third among world powers in avia.
ton, but 1t will soon drop to fifth
or sixth place IL we do not bestir
ourselves,
1t is apparent that a nationwide
organization to foster and develop
commercial aviation, air mail and
business, useful flying service, is
Va TIC llISL importance. II sub.
sides are impossible. then people
must themselves encourage these
projects. This will give us re.
serve of material and pilots for
war purposes and will stimulate the
airplane and airship industries. We
can learn from the German expert.
ence and action previous to the
war; The German people raised
81 100000 by private subscription
to be presented to Count Zeppelin
to encourage his airship enterprise.
and the Germans made q CONNER.
cial success of airship navigation
previous to 1911 A.. Had 1t not been
for the war we may be sure that
the, German air lines would ha,,
been established all over the world.