Evening star., 1939-01-06

NiH'y SIiSSStS NSIuSS
To Confirm Receipt
Of Strength Report
By the Associated Press.
Col. Charles A. Lindbergh has
given Government officials a conf
dental report on Germany's air
strength, it was learned authori-
tatively today.
Army officers declined to confirm
receipt of the document, but it was
assumed here that Col. Lindbergh
submitted it voluntarily.
President Roosevelt said at his
press conference today that he had
not received such a report from the
colonel.
The famous aviator still retains
his commission in the United States
Army Air Corps Reserve despite his
three-year residence in Europe. He
accepted flve-year renewal of the
commission in the fall of 1887.
Col. Lindbergh has visited Ger
many-as we'll as other European
nations-at various times to study
aviation facilities. He left Berlin
December % to spend the winter
in Paris with his family.
He had gone to the German capi-
tai in october when he received
from Field Marshal Goering the
Order OF the German Eagle, one of
the country's highest decorations.
Earlier in the fall he had in
spected air fields and equipment in
Soviet Russia Eleven Russian air.
men afterward accused him in a
statement of minimizing Soviet air
strength in order to give Prime Min
lister Chamberlain of Great Britain
arguments for negotiating the Mu-
Mich pact.
The statement called the United
States flyer "a stupid liar, a lackey
and f1atterer of German Fascists."
The flyers hosts on subsequent
London visit denied he had reported
on Russian air forces.
Col. Lindbergh is member of the
National Advisory Committee on
Aeronautics, and attended one Of its
meetings here about two years ago.
His report on German aviation
arrived while the administration
has been drafting a vast program
OF plane construction. Upwards of
10000 aircraft for the Army are ex-
pected to be advocated by Mr..
Roosevelt in his defense message to
Congress next week.
Reports to Committee.
CAS- a member of the National
Advisory Committee for Aeronautics,
Federal research organization with
headquarters in the Navy Depart
ment and laboratories at Langley
Field, Va, Col. Lindbergh communi-
Gates regularly his impressions" Of
foreign aviation developments.
tHis letters, in combination with
the reports of John J. Ide, N. A. C. A.
European representative, form a
large part of the committees in
formation of developments, it was
admitted.
A member of the N. A. C. A. Or
ganization admitted today that Col.
Lindbergh's letters, particularly on
German developments, have been
very informative, and that Col.
Lindbergh has been useful and
loyal"
But for the storm of criticism in
the United States, eliminating in
speech by Secretary of the Interior
1ckes criticizing him for having re-
ceived a German award, Col. Lind
bergh probably would have spent
the winter in Berlin, N. A. c. A.
officials believe. They described Ber-
lin as "the world center of aviation
progress right now"
Without acting as anything but
loyal American citizen, observing
only what is open to observation,
but using his own intelligence and
aviation knowledge, N. A. C. A. Of
flcials believe, Col. Lindbergh could
have been of tremendous value to
the United States Government dur
ing the coming months, in which
thex German Reich is expected to
make its bid for world air su-
premacy.
Col. Lindbergh was described bv
his associates on the Federal or
ganlZation here as "a loyal citizen
who has done nothing to hurt his
country His ability to help the
Government has been definitely lin
tied by continuous criticism from
the United States of his every act.
they believe.
Mr.. Ide will appear before the
N. A. c. A. at meeting Tuesday
to submit a confidential report In
executive session on his obserya-
tlons OF European developments dur
ing recent months.
Goes Over Recommendations.
With a dozen high Army. Nayv
and diplomatic officials, the Chief
Executive yesterday went over the
recommendations to be presented in
the special message. Questioned
today about the conference, the
President reported progress was
made in formulating details Of the
program.
In submitting his annual budget
estimates, Mr.. Roosevelt told Con-
gress he would ask them for q $780,
100000 supplementary appropria4 =
ton to reinforce land, sea and air
defenseS.
Military officials expect it to de-
tail proposals for thousands of new
warplanes, more bases, munitions
supplies and manufacturing facin-
ties, and mass training Of pilots and
mechanics. :,
He estimated that altogether ma
tional defense outlays for the 1910
fiscal year opening July ! would
total 1l,3lo 1853, 900.