The Washington times., 1925-09-22
He SCORES
CRTTNSOF
POLICY
Continued from First Page)

Continued rom FIRST Pagel
into a separate corps analogous to
the marine corps. Any attempt to
do so consists in amputating from
the navy itself a part of its very
being.
.aThe air forces in the naval
battle of tomorrow form a vital
element or component part or that
battle.
"The argument advanced by SO
many young, inexperienced naval
aviators desiring q separate air
corps is based on utter fallacy ana
complete misunderstanding.
1t was even more unthinkable, IN
Wilbur's opinion, that there should
be formed single air force main
tanned for national defense but not
under the army or navy, or a
separate air force with Cabinet
minister of its own.
Methods In Battle
Its (aviation's) employment in a
naval battle must be wholly dis
similar from its methods in a land
battle said Wilbur. I'm order
that it may be employed with its
greatest efficiency and usefulness
in a naval battle, it must thorough.
Iy be imbued with the spirit of the
navy itself, its methods and its
tactics. 1t cannot be trained by
any organization except the navy.
i. eff q vitality component part
(aviationl Of a navy, which forms
a part Of a naval battle itself, is
under the direction and authority OF
an independent air service. it re-
moves from the naval commander
that unity of command in time of
battle and that uniformity Of train
ing in time of peace which every
war has proved to be essential to
victory" declared Wilbur.
When he advocated retaining |
status quo in aeronautics, Wilbur |
said he referred, of course. to the |
fundamental or basic principles of
the present organization. Changes
in the organization, the navy itself |
best can work out.
Cites Past Agitations
ut is believed that the present |
agitation in regard to the air |
forces OF the navy is similar to that !
which occurred in connection with
the development of and the utility |
Of destroyers, submarines and even
with gunnery itself. he said
ANY new implement Of warfare
requires time and patience for de- |
velopment and for adjustment Of
the problem Of offense and defense |
II no serious mistakes are made, all |
defects, real or imaginary, In ayia- |
ton in the navy will be correct /
ed"
Wilbur was unable to agree at |
all with those air enthusiasts who |
predict that the next war will be I
fought in the air. AS far as the
present navy is concerned, aviation /
is still supplemental and auxiliary
arm, despite its great importance
as a component unit of the fleet, !
said Wilbur. He endorsed the gen..
eral boards report RELOCATING the /
air force to a position behind the
battleships as the first line Of de-
tense. In other words. he said. one
could no more operate successfully |
in war without the other than sub
marines. for instance, could carry /
on a battle by themselves.
Gives Documentary Evidence
Wilbur presented the board with
a vast batch of documentary evi.
dence and statistics regarding naval
aviation, and recommended Federal
encouragement Of commercial air
fleets. to which he pledged a help
ing hand by the navy.
A good word was entered for the /
navy's air equipment and personnel. |
Wilbur also went into great de- /
tail to show Great Britain's dis |
satisfaction" with an independent !
air force.
Press comment from Great /
Britain, where the pendulum is I
swinging back toward naval control |
of sea-going aviation, recognizes the |
soundness Of our air policy" said /
Wilbur, with an apparent air of |
satisfaction.
When Wilbur took the stand he |
was flanked by a host of high |
ranking officers Of the department, I
6Eluding Admiral Eberle, chief of |
nlval operations, and Rear Admiral |
Moffett, chief of the Bureau Of |
Aeronautics.
Major General LeJeune, com |
nandant Of the Marine Corps, also |
accompanied the secretary
Wilbur stood all the while he was |
reading his statement.
A larger crowd attended the meet. !
ing than at the first day, and the !
corridors outside of the room were
filled with persons unable to gain
admission.
Wilbur assured the board that
Commander John p. Rodgers, in |
charge Of the San Francisco Homo |
lulu nonstop flight. would appear
as a witness early next month, but
could testify earlier if the inVesti-
gators desired.
To Speak I'm st. Louis
Rodgers will arrive in San Fran
cisco Thupeday and plans to go TO
San Diego and st. Louis before
coming to Washington" said Will
bur. HE has had many requests
10 speak but we have granted him
permission TO speak only in st.
Louis, so he may expedite his
appearance before the board
I'VE would like to have Rodgers
here on September 30,'' said
Dwight w. Morrow, chairman.
He would have to fly here to
reach Washington by that time,
but he can do that" replied Wilbur.
1t was finally decided that Rod
gers should proceed to Washing
ton as expeditiousIy as possible, the
definite date of his appearance,
however. being left undecided.
Rodgers was appointed assistant
chief Of aeronautics for his work
in keeping the PN-9 No. 1 afloat
for nine days in the Pacific after
it was forced down by lack Of
gasoline.
The navy need have no fear
Az