Evening star., 1925-11-23

trY as a private in 1898, and follow
ing the Cuban campaign saw service
in the Philippines. Then as second
lieutenant he went around the world
inspecting the various military syS-
TENS, and returned to the United
States shortly after, to be sent TO
Alaska, where he worked Tor three
years in erecting telegraph lines there
under the Signal Corps. He organ
ized the first field signal service in
the United States. developed the first
motor transport unit and the first field
radio set. He was graduated from
the school of the line at Fort Leaven-
worth, kanS.. in June, 1908, and rated
as a distinguished graduate" mean
Ing he had an average of more than
50 per cent in his studies. He also
was graduated from the Army Staff
College, then saw service in the Philip
pines, where he commanded the only
organized signal company He was
an American military observer in the
Russo-Japanese War. and in 1911
was appointed to the Army general
staff here. He said he was not 4
graduate of West Point.
Learned to Fly While Here.
During his tour of duty here he
took instructions in flying at a civilian
school in Norfolk, making a week
end journey by boat to the Virginia
city. flying all day Sunday and re-
turning TO Washington in time for his
duties Monday morning
He went to Europe in March. 1917.
as an observer. first stopping off in
Spain TO determine that countrv's re-
sources in the event il ioined Ger
many in the war. Arriving in France
six days after the declaration of war
he entered organization work in the
Signal Corps and Aviation Corps and
went to the front with the 4th
French Army.
~ participated in an infantry at
tHel with the French and received
decorations for this. His hOnors in
clude the distinguished service cross.
the distinguished service medal and
decorations from France, Italy and
England. He read into the record
commcndatory letters from Gen.
Pershing and also his American clta-
tons. He declared he tlev in all OF
the major operations OF the war
whenever there was an opportunity,
and he always made these trips over
the lines alone and in fast. single
seated planes.
Before returning to this country
after the close of the war, Col.
Mitchell said he consulted his com
panions in the allied air forces with
the view of determining what the
future use of airpOwer would be"
Gives Results of Study.
The result of these conferences
was an absolute unanimity of opinion
on the part Of all flying officers that
future conflicts would be featured BY
two things: Submarine campaigns
against the enemy and air attacks or
the nerve centerS of hostile states
The armies would not be called into
operation because they would be en-
tirely incapable of arriving at a de
cision except at a slow, laborious anC
dangerous pace. Just before the close
OF the war aeronautiCS had developed
- the stage where nerve CenteFS were
being attacked far inland in Germany
and plans were afoot to carry on 3
vigorous campaign still further in
land"
After relating that he commanded
the largest air force in the war anC
the world, for that matter. in the st
Mlhfel offensive. Col. Mitchell said he
returned to the United States as di
rector of military aeronautics with
the uncert" aty of continued peace in
the East or West. 1T hehOoyeS lis
TO arrange our aeronautical program
because of this" he said "and we lost
no time in telling those in authority
how aviation should be organized tc
meet our specific needs"
Describes Program.
of the many recommendations he had
made both TO the chief of Air Service
and 20 the Secretary of War, few
Of which, however, We're carried out
Among these recommendations was
one for development of civil aeronau
tics - an indirect means of securing
the national defense. Commercial
aviation. he said, not only would guar.
antee pilots for war service who We're
90 per cent efficient and mechanics
100 per cent, but would keep up an
aircraft industry.
If the industry is not kept up we
are put in the hands of foreigners
for our air power" said the witness
Does that condition exist now?'
asked Mr.. Reid.
1T is absolutely our condition at
the present time" responded the wit
ness.
Asked New Type Plane.
Among other recommendations re
cited by Col. Mitchell, most of which
We're:
That as a general proposition the
OH model of airplane be discarded and
an entirely new mode! developed.
That 300 of the DH-4 type planes
he modified to change the position OF
the gasoline tank forward in order tc
increase the safety factor in case OF
u crash.
That provision be made to give me
Chanics in aviation a status different
from that of the ordinary soldier ir
order to obviate the necessity of sub
tecting the lives of the flying person
mel to unnecessary risk.
That air transports be made avail
able for the carrying of air units
That combined maueuverS be staged
TO test coast defense.
That methods Of protection against
air raids in inhabited localities. includ
ing alarm signals, refugees, rations anC
medical assistance, be worked out.
That provision be made for meteor
illogical service in the Air Service.
Urges Weather Data.
That telephone and telegraph lines
be used to get weather Information
for fiiers. The witness explained that
funds for this purpose have been cut
off by the Government)
That the Chemical Warfare Service
and the Air Service cooperate closely
That amplibian planes be provided
for first aid work. equipped with life
preservers, fresh water, food and
medical supplies sufficient to meet any
emergency.
That all-metal bombardment ships
be ordered Immediately.
gTNl. gzII