Evening star., 1926-10-31
[Mussolini on the Wing

Italy have combined all aviation activities
into q department OF aviation.
1.-THE efforts being made by the nations for
forming an air force are the most eloquent
proof Of the fact that powerful and efficient
air arm is a necessity. I, therefore, intend to
make rapid reorganization Of our air activi-
ties in order to bring them up to the necessary
strength and efficiency in the shortest possible
time"
After a few months of experimenting Mus
solini settled upon definite organization for
the aircraft, and created military body
known as 1.-THE Royal Aeronautic,' which, as
the Italian air service, ranks in Importance
with the army and navy. Also the post or aero
nautic attache has been re-eStabllshed IN the
Italian diplomatic service, and will be Tiled
solely by aeronautic officers. Air attaches have
been appointed to represent Italy at Washing
ton London, Paris and Berlin.
In addition to the organization of separate
ministry for air under his own personal direc-
tion and supervision, Premier Mussolin1 has
unified the air, army and naval forces under
one single head, each responsible to hlnlselt
alone as the supreme dictator of Italy's depart
ment Of national defense. This is in line with
the policy adopted by4 Great Britain during the
war; which has continued ever since to such an
extent that the air defense of the British en-
pire is in charge of an air officer, with the air
forces under his control operating as Brltalns
first line Of defense.
The expenditures of the Royal Air Corps in
Italy for 1926-27 will approximate 629, 600
lire, being an increase over the previous year,
when the budget called for 54900O,0O0 lire
x X x X
Prior to April, 1926 no Italian commercial
routes were in operation. The companies Or
ganized and in operation now, referred TO IN
other parts of this chapter and elsewhere IN
this series, have begun operations since 1879,
when MussOlini said:
1.-THE air service already has assumed a we'll
defined organization and corresponds, within its
military framework, to the aims which 1t is
called upon to attain in the important duty OF
collaborating to the defense of the realm
The special difficulties which the geographical
constitution of our country impose on the de-
velopment of commercial aviation are pemg
gradually overcome and in the very near future
Italian wings will cross the skies and the Medl-
terranean, connecting with an intimate link its
western and eastern shores. * Itallan
aviation projects its forces toward the future
with passionate faith in the fundamental I'M
portance, which, in modern civilization, attaches
to every attempt at the mastery of the air.
The Italian air service as now organized
consists first of commissioner OF aeronaut1cs.
The commissioner is member OF the CABINET,
and the post is held at present by Mussoni
himself Under him is assistant commits
sioner who has active control of all aeronau-
tics of the country. Under him are two general
bureaus, the general bureau of military aero
nautics and the general bureau of commercial
aeronautcs. Military aeronautics is DIVIDED
into a technical division and commercial
division.
The military bureau has begun the organlza-
ton of an air force and will organize instruct
and control tactical units which are operated
bv both the army and the navy. The CONNER
cial bureau will establish air routes, license
pilots. test planes and also conduct a technical
division for research and experimental work in