Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-31

5000 900 cubic feet capacity, as compared TO
2764 461 cubic feet capacity Of the Los Angeles.
The aerona utical organization in these coun-
tries varies. For example In the united ota.Ss'
the Army controls its own air service ana 'ne
Navy does the same The air mail service is
under the Postoffice Department. The Govern
ment has no control over commercial aviation.
In Japan and France much the same orsanlIa
ton obtains, except that in Japan civil ava
ton Is under the department Of communlca-
tons. and In France, 1t is under the minister
OF public works. Great Britain and Italy, on
the other hand both have a general air service
called In England the Royal Air Force, and in
Italy the Royal italian Air Service. In each OF
these countries the air service has the status
Of a ministry. In Great Britain, civil aviation is
placed under the air ministry.
Commercial aviation in foreign countries is
subsidized by their governments This Is true
in Great Britain, where the subsidies for the
fiscal year, soon to end, amount 10 some w.
100000. In France the subsidies requested FOR
1925 amounted to about $4,000 900 francs. Italy
and Japan also subsidize commercial aviation
In the United States there are government
subsidies, but within the last year several com
panies have undertaken to develop CONNER
cial routes, Henry Ford among others.
The United States, according to testimony
given before congressional committees, leads
the world in apla ne development for naval
purposes. America has been more successful
in devising means for launching and operating
planes from Navy vessels at sea. If the present
plans are carried out practically every type or
Navy vessel will be equipped with one or more
planes including destroyers and even subIna-
rines. Such equipment Will be OF great value
for scouting and observation purposes.
1t is possible that efforts may be made
1T the coming conference to limit or to
forbid the carrying OF airpanes on Warships
outside of the regular aircraft carriers, which
have been limited under the 5-5-S167l6'
treaty. Such course would be strongly OPP
posed by the American Navy.
The aircraft carrier tonnage of the Navy is
recognized as the basis of its operations in the
air against an enemy, however and need Of
keeping this tonnage at its maximum strength
must be emphasized.
The United States vii strongly urge at the
strength
shall be maintained so as to insure at all times
Il 55-3 ratio in naval strength putting this
country equality with the British empire
and on the ratio of SO In regard 10 the
Japanese navy. Indeed, the recommendations
OF a special board appointed by Secretary VII
bur of the Navy Department, submitted about
carriers OF the Navy should be maintained at
the strength allowed by the naval limitation
treaty, and that aircraft should be maintained
in numbers, in performance, and in person
mel as required to insure a 5-5-3 ratio in naval
air strength"
At present the United States lags behind IL
The matter OF aircraft carriers though it has
under construction $1,000 tons-the two battle
cruisers. which under the terms OF the Washing
ton treaty, were converted into carriers. Com
pleted tonnage for the United States is only
experimental. Great Britain has completed five
carriers of 1920 tons; France has two of 21.45o
tons; Japan Of $500 tons. Great Britain
has two carriers totaling 37,2o0 tons under con-
srruction and japan two, totaling $4,000 tons
In view OF the coming conference, the dts
cussion of the Limitation Of air strength which
took place at the Washington conference is Of
little interest. AT that time committee
aircraft reported against attempt to limit
lt!r strength in the following language:
The committee is OF the opinion that Il is not
lla ctcable to impose any effective limitation
upon the numbers of characteristics of aircraft,
either commercial military, excepting in the
single case of hterthan-air craft"
Continued Third PageJ