Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-10

they are not accustomed to ships of the
Corsair type.
The three pilots who already have
begun their training here are Col.
Samuel c. Rojas, present military at
tache at the Mexican embassy: First
Lieut.. Paul AZcarate and First Lieut..
Rodolfo Torres. 1t Is expected that
about a week of training on the speedy
fighting planes will enable them to re-
turn to Mexico and create a nucleus Of
the new aerial fighting squadron which
Is to be formed around the new planes.
Arrangements for the training of the
nine Mexican officers were made
through the State Department and the
Navy Department in advance of the
outbreak of hostilities in the revolving
Mexican areas, but in view OF the I'M
settled conditions in that country and
the possibility that skilled pilots may
be required for immediate aerial COM
bat service and scouting, the training
will be pushed through as soon as pos
sible, 1t was learned last night.
Plans for the training of the men
were made quietly and it was not until
after the training actually had begun
That the fact became known, and then
through unofficial channels, though
later 1t was officially confirmed. The
granting OF flying instruction to repre-
Sentatives OF foreign governments is
| not unusual, both the Army and the
Navy extending this courtesy to for
eign army and navy pilots by arrange
ment with the State Department. A
number Of foreign government pilots
have taken courses Of flying training
with both the Army and the Navy. fly
ing all types Of service planes.
signed to the Mexican pilots. though
Lieut.. Harvey r. Bowes and Lieut. Err
nest w. Itch assumed the burden of
the instruction work during the first
training flights.
Army Munition Supply.
The Army's surplus supply Of Enfield
rifles is estimated at more than 4,000,-
600 weapons, while 1t holds In reserve
approximately 100000 rounds of
ammunition to fit them. There will be
no delay whatever in transporting the
rifles and ammunition. Some delay
may occur in connection with bombs
| and machine guns for airplanes as the
could be fitted to converted commercial
planes. There is some question whether
! such types are available.
The munitions are to be gathered
from arsenals at Rock Island, III,
Columbus. Ohio and possibly Raritan,
N j. They will be concentrated, 1t Is
| understood, at the arsenal at San
Antonio to await further shipping orders
from the Mexican government. The
United States Army. 1t was stated, will
be responsible for delivery of the
supplies to any point along the border
but the Mexican government must
assume responsibility for their transfer
! into Mexico.
Arrangements for shipment of the
munitions were completed at confer
ence between Secretary of State KEEL
logg Secretary Of War Good Gen.
Charles p. Summerall chief of staff of
| the Army. and Col. Stanley H. Ford. the
conferees anticipating the arrival of e
specific request from the Mexican gov
! eminent, Secretary Kellogg later re-
! ported to President Hoover at the White
' House.
The Enfield rifles requested by Mex
leo are the same type of weapon used
by the American Army during the
World War. The United States Army
since the war. however. has adopted a
Springfield rife. Enfield rifles were
particularly desirable during the World
War. 1t was said, because Of the speed