The Washington times., 1925-02-19
AMERICA IS
HELPLESS, F..
HE SAYS
Continued from First Page)

the battleship as the dominant
naval power.
''The battleship has ceased to exist
as the first sea power" said
Mitchell. There is no more pitt
full example of air power In the
world than ours. The reason Tor
this is the failure to consolidate
the air force.
Only 10 Pursuit Planes.
1--WE have but nineteen pursuit
airplanes and only fifteen pilots. not
enough to man the ships we have.
.tOf course, we have some OBJ
solete planes, which, by the way,
are good enough to sink any bat
tleship afloat, but they would be
no good in an air fight.
"Our plans for ait defense are
the worst in the world. We are
practically helpless in the air. In
fact, we are helpless everywhere,
including the army and navy"
az want to agree with the gen.
eral that we are helpless in the
air. tnterposed Congressman
Perkins (.Rep) Of New Jersey, COM
lnittee prosecutor.
eft would be impossible to de-
TEND our coasts from air attacks, "
continued Mitchell.
Not Called on Carpet.
Mitchell denied that he had been
Officially" ordered to the White
House, or been told he would not
be reappointed as brigadier general.
eral.
''I see by the papers that you are
to be ousted," said Reid.
'T don't know anything about
do you expect to be reap
"I haven't thought about it." re-
piled Mitchell.
'wen, I was told on good au-
thoity that Mitchell was to be
ousted," interrupted Perkins. az
didn't get 1t from Mitchell but
got it from q source that con-
slider very reliable"
Have you been recommended
for reappointment?" pressed Reid.
General Patrick, chief of the
Air Service, has, but the appoint
ment hasn't been sent to the Sem
ate" replied Mitchell.
1t was learned today that Mitchell
II to be reduced to a colonelcy and
sent to an outlying post after his
present commission in the Air Ser
vice expires on March 20. He was
appointed to but q four-year term
as second in command OF the Army's
Air Service
Weeks, Wilbur Advise Coolidge.
President Coolidge has decided up
ca this action following conferences
with Secretaries Weeks and Wilbur,
both OF whose departments have
been assailed by Mitchell before the
House Aircraft Committee.
Sensational reports flew all over
the Capital today in wake Of the
news that Mitchell was slated for
reduction. The most persistent was
that Weeks and Wilbur had told the
President they would resign IL Mitch
ell should be kept in his present post.
Both Secretaries denied this, Weeks
reaffirming his statement that his
department planned no action re-
garding Mitchell until the compile.
ton Of the House investigation.
May Call on Coolidge.
The White House said it knew
nothing of a persistent report that
Mr.. Coolidge had summoned Mitchell
for conference today to be told he
would be permitted to resign or &C.
Cept reduction to a colonelcy. The
engagement list did not contain
Mitchelrs name. The Flying Cen
eral himself declared he had nc
White House engagement.
But 1t was freely talked in high
official circles that President Cool
idge during the day planned either
20 call Mitchell. or notify him
through the regular army channels.
that his services in Washington,
would terminate next month.
Mitchell VIII Not Resign.
Mitchell will accept the edict Of
the War Department and will not
resigA- He told friends he would
reIna1n in the army as colonel until
we build up in this country a real
airplane offense and defense"
Mitchell himself, however, would not
comment, saying he preferred to
await the wishes of the President
. The fight on Mitchell is not re-
garde1 in army circles as a personal
feud. 1t is regarded rather as a
clash between two radically oppo-
site points Of view concerning the
ValTO of airplanes in the nations
armament. Mitchell represents the
so-called younger officers" the men
who believe that the next war must
be- fought largely in the air, with
the regular army and navy units as
supplementary. This view Is. pro-
tested by the older, directing heads,
who believe that aircraft must be but
an auxiliary arm.
The two opinions have clashed re-
peatedly before the Aircraft Commit
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS