The Washington times., 1924-03-19
NATIONS
IN WORLD
FLIGHT
England, Portugal, and Argen-
tine Seek Round-the-World
by Air Honors.
By w. r. FULLAM,
Rear Admiral of u. s. Navy HRetired).
Copyright. 1924, by Cosmopolitan
News SArYica.N

Rear Admiral Of U, s. Navy Retired)
Copyright. 1924, by Cosmopolitan
News Service.)
NEW YORK, March 19.-Thc
round the world" flight now un.
der way by intrepid army aviators
commanded by Major F. l.. Martini
already has caused a thrill, and
the whole nation is watching the
daNntless young Americans, wish
ing them godspeed as they progress
from point to point.
The flight is a very difficult
and hazardous undertaking, but the
army has been studying the prob
lem intensively for two years and
has taken every precaution that
human knowledge could suggest.
Route Is Divided
The route has been divided into
six geographic divisions and an ex'
per1enced aviator has been assign
ed to prepare facilities in each
division to anticipate the needs Of
the flotilla. These officers are now
at their stations to keep the prep.
arations up to date, and, each OF
them will be competent to relieve
any man who may be forced to re.
tire from the flight.
The United States Government
and all American corporations and
business men along the route. are
cooperating to assist the expedi'
ton.
Three vessels Of the U. s. Coast
Guard VIII be stationed in Alaska
and the Aleutian Islands. The
American Express Company, the
Ford agencies, the Shipping Board
and other big business organiZa-
tons are ready to give assistance
In any emergency.
And 1t Is pleasing to note that
foreign governments are generously
extending the glad hand to our
filters. Japan is sending three de.
stroyers north to the Korile Islands.
Great Britain is giving a hearty wei.
come at every one of her colonies
in the line of the flight. And the
Danish government has offered to
convoy the flight from the Orkney
Islands to Iceland on the home
stretch across the Atlantic.
Our navy may be counted on to
patrol the route from Iceland TO
Labrador as they come home, and
and support when the f1otilla
touches the American continent.
Others In Race.
Additional interest in this venture
is found in the fact that three other
nations. Great Britain, Portugal and
Argentine-have entered the race.
Major Maclaren, an English aviator
will attempt the flight in a Hand
ley Paige machine, or an amphibian
Vickers biplane. He hopes to carry
the Union Jack around the world
flying to the eastward from Enc.
land over the route that was
planned by Sir Ross Smith before
he lost his life in a trial flight.
In the meantime, three Argentine
Officers, Major Pedro Zanni, pilot:
Alfred de Fragota. navigator, and
Felipe Beltrame, engineer are con.
templating a flight to the eastward
from London with two land planes
and one seaplane. 1t is their inten.
ton. after crossing the American
continent. to follow the example OF
Alsop and Brown, who hoped
across the Atlantic from Newfound.
land to Ireland in one day.
1t will be remembered that two
Portuguese airmen, Cabral and Con.
tinho, have already flown across the
South Atlantic from Portugal to
Brazil. They met with several acct.
dents and disasters, but they finally
triumphed. Their record in some re.
spectS is uneQualed. They made
two OF the longest hops in the his.
tory OF ocean flying. They are now
entering the list in the GIobe.enci-.
cling race. Their past experience
will make them worthy competitors.
There is no question that air lanes
will be ultimately established all
over the world. 1t is a mere matter
OF time. The United States arrnv
officers, who are flying today in the
expedition. arc
blazing the trail Of a great accom-.
Even should they fall
one and all Of them-at this time.
their devotion and daring will result
in discoveries and inventions that
Will hasten future success.
Quicker Service Needed.
The business and commercial in.
terests Of all nations will demand
quicker mail communication. to.
gether with facilities for transporta.
ton OF lightweight merchandise
through the air in hours instead of
days. Greater obstacles than these
have been overcome in MANY
branches Of scence during the pas
tlrty years. Practical and daring
minds will solve the problem,
The airplane Is not the only
agency engaged in the arnihi!ation
OF distance and in facilitating air
for the convenience
and prosperity Of mankind. The
alrship is slowly but surely coming
to the front.