Evening star., 1925-02-17
The Air Controversy.

Out Of the controversy over the reia-
tive Importance OF land, sea and air
forces to the defense Of the Nation the
full truth has yet to emerge. Yet as
the argument between the Mitchell
ties and those opposing tho theories OF
the aggressive young assistant chief
Of the Air Service develops, certain
facts seem to have been brought out
which might we'll be summarized.
1t has been established. for instance,
that, whatever the relative impor.
tance Of the land, sea and air forces
would be in the matter OF effectively
protecting the United States in the
future, no one denies the great impor-
lance to both the Army and the Navy
Of an adequate air force. It has been
established that, whether or not capi.
tai ships can readily be sunk by air
attack, planes in numbers are essen.
tial to maritime war tactics and equal.
ly essential to the defense Of the
American coast line. 1t has been estab-
lished that other nations Of the world
are fully aware Of the importance Of
air supremacy and are acting accord.
ingly. And it has been established that
both our Army and Navy are today
pitifully lacking in adequate air equip
ment and personnel.
With these facts brought out into
the open 1t may well be judged that
Gen. Mitchell has performed a ma
~
ton in policy. Yet 1t cannot but seem
a pity that the service could not have
been rendered without resorting to the
imputation OF methods and policies
which would discredit, II not dishoaor,
many men grown gray In the naval
and military services Of the Nation. It
may we'll be that certain Of the older
men charged with the development Of
the plans for national defense have
not placed sufficient emphasis upon
the cir forces. But the theory that.
aware Of the vital Importance Of this
new arm, they have deliberately
sought, for one reason or another, to
conceal the facts implies a betrayal
too infamous to be within the realm
Of the possible.
Whether or not a separate air force
IL the wise answer to the problem Of
how to furnish the Army and Navy
with adequate air equipment and per-
sonnel remains to be seen. Certain It
is, however. that with the existing in
adequacies demonstrated and admitted
there will be a popular demand that
this condition OF affairs be promptly
remedied in one way or another. Air
forces will, in war time, OF necessity
be auxiliary branches Of the two es.
tablished services, essential to each OF
them in offense and defense. It would
seem that, predicating adequate appro-
priations from Congress. peace time
development could best be carried for
ward under the condition Of friendly
rivalry between Army and Navy.
Yet II there Is .eason to believe
either that appropriations or the i'm.
petus Of encouragement from the high
Army and Navy STATS would Be lack.
Ing in the future, then the adoption
OF Gen. Mitchell's proposal is essential.
Exaggerattons met by exaggera.
tions, bitter denials met by bitter
denials, poohs met by pishes. are not
going to get any one anywhere Talk
of the bombing plane as having rem.
dered a fleet an obsolete extravaganza.
or Of the anti-aircraft gun as an ade-
quate defense against planes cannot
but seem to the lay observer the con-
tentions Of men whom the heat Of de.
bate has rendered extravagant Of
phrases. Is not the wiser course for
all, Navy, Army and the air cham.
pions, to cry togther. I'VE need more
planes. more flyers, more plane car.
riers." and then, having obtained
them. to press forward about the busi.
ness Of making our air force the most
efficient in the world? For only SO can
our Navy or Army ever attain to full
efficiency.