Evening star., 1933-07-17
w.,har ~ the Associated Press,
Viva. Balbo!

Safe arrival at destination In CIncdeo
of Gen. Italo Balbo and his gallant
con- ,des of the Italian clr ARMADA Is
a triumph which excites the pride ana
admiration of the whole American peo-
ple. The mass flight of twenty-1our
nlanes over a land and ocean course
totaline six thousand one hundred miles
in forty-seven and a half hours OF n.y.
ing time Is an achievement destined
to make the ninety-six intrepid aviators
who accomplished 1t immortal in the
annals of the air. Their feat represents
an inspiring combination Of human
skill and pluck with mechanical per-
lection. Man and engine between them
have written a glorious chapter IN the
history Of the conquest Of the elements.
Gen. Balbo and his men did not set
out from their home base at Ortobello
on June 80 with the idea of making
either a speed or distance record
Their sole purpose was to demonstrate
the practicability Of long sustained
mass formation flight by machines in
cooperating the most dependable type
of engine durability and reliability.
The Italian aviation industry reaps its
full share Of laurels from the Balbo
expedition and may be expected to
capitalize them In competition with
foreign rivals in the markets Of the
world.
Having on his squadron fight to
Brazil two years ago demonstrated the
feasibility of the mass formation
theory over the easier and shorter
Southern Atlantic route, Gen. Balbo
chose for his cruise to Chicago this
year the longer and far more hazardous
route across the northernmost Atlantic,
past Greenland, Iceland and Labrador.
It was negotiated with the ease and
precision with which the Italians might
have flown their own Lake Como
truly marvellous exploit, from whatever
angle considered. Apart from excellent
airmanship in flight. the brilliantly
successful trip of the armada Is
tribute to the superb advance organlza-
ton which made it possible. At all
intermediate points between Ortobello
and Chicago-Amsterdam Londonderry,
Reykjavik, Cartwright. Shediac and
Montreal, italian supply ships ana
mechanics were ready with every con-
ceivable sort of auxiliary aid and
equipped for any possible emergency.
Only at the end Of the armadas hrst
leg outside Of Amsterdam, did m1shap
overtake it, with the capsizing OF one
of the squadron's original twenty-five
ships and the loss Of one man. Other
wise. thanks to faultless preparation,
everything functioned like the tradi-
tional clockwork.
Washington Will be fittingly priW-
legged this week to extend national
welcome to Gen. Balbo and his men.
The Capitals greeting will typify the
entire country's homage to the brave
and skillful Italians who ny. as their
leader said at Montreal. with God and
Mussolini" In their hearts. Duce
and all italy have every right to be
proud of such fellows So has Fascism,
which claims their ardent devotion.
President Roosevelt and the Secretaries
Of War and the Navy, who are ofh-
cially to do the honors at Washington,
may be sure they speak for all Amer
leans in extending hearty congratula-
tions and expressions Of admiration to
these adventurous pilgrims from the
realm of Fascismo. The land that
proudly claims as its own Wilbur and
Orville Wright, Charles Lndbergh,
Amelia Earhart, Wiley Post, Harold
Gatty and Jimmie Mattern takes warm
ly to its bosom the young vikings who
have winged their way to us from out
Of the sunny skies Of italy.