Evening star., 1940-07-28
By Joseph S. Edeerton,
Star Aviation Editor.

Star Aviation Editor.
A 3O-day inspection trip of the West
ern Hemisphere during what may prove
to be one of the most critical periods
in its history reveals on every hand
sharp uneasiness in the minds of the
peoples of the Americas over threatened
totalitarian political, economic and pos
sibly military penetration.
1t reveals determined preparation for
national and hemisphere defense in
progress from the Arctic Circle to the
pampas of the Argentine. 1t reveals
growing detestation for the ways of the
unscrupulous aggressor and real de-
sire in the hearts of the peoples OF
score of American nations for a stable,
orderly, peaceful and free way of life
under democratic institutions
1t also reveals a striving toward a
closer union of the peoples of the Ameri-
can republics, a desire which is reflected
In many ways One of the important
reflections of this desire is the great and
rapid growth of air transportation be-
tween the nations of the Americas
development which today makes possible
travel from end to end of the hemisphere
In week by regular schedules.
No Speed Record Sought.
It was the good fortune of the writer
to be able virtually to circle the West
ern Hemisphere in just 80 days, from
June % to July %, by means of regularly
scheduled air transportation. The trip
was not, by any means, an attempt at
a record for the circuit. There were
number of layovers of as long as three or
four days each en- route. Had speed
record been sought, the travel could
have been performed, employing only
regular schedules, within a period of
Just a little over two weeks.
As it was, the writer travelled a total
of 24250 miles in month of elapsed
time and 1873 hours 81 minutes of actual
flying time, or an average speed of 1928
miles per hour. The trip included land
ings in II independent nations, flight
over or within sight of two other inde-
pendent nations, landings in three out
lying United States possessions and four
European colonial possessions, and flight
over or within sight of five other Euro
pean possessions. In other words, visual
or actual contact was made with 13
nations and II territorial or insular pos
sessions of four nations.
Conversation was conducted or un-
dertaken with some display of good Will
on both sides. in five basic languages
with local variants, and the day-to-day
changes in currency and values was, to
be conservative, trif1e confusing,
what with pesos ranging in value from
45 to as much as 80 to the United
States dollar in various countries and
with other systems of currency based on
neither the peso or the dollar thrown ln
Only One Unfriendly Incident
There was apparent everywhere sin
eere desire on the part of the local resi-
dents to be friendly and helpful and the
only incident of the entire trip which
could be considered unpleasant or un-
friendly was a bitter attack by Ger
man newspaper in Buenos Aires, Ell
Pampero, on "los reporteros yanquis"-
the Yankee reporters, who had come
to stir up trouble" by agitating the
fifth column question, it was charged.
El Pamperos attack, however, was off,
set by very friendly welcomes in the
South American newspapers, not only
In Buenos Aires, but in all the other
principal cities along the route and by
the kindliness and friendship of gov
ernment leaders and outstanding citizens
everywhere.
From Alaska to Patagonia the New
World is restlessly alert against an an
ticipated aggression the form of which
1t cannot clearly see. There is military
preparation in progress throughout the
hemisphere, though not aways co-ordi-
mated or based upon consideration of
all the factors involved
And, despite deep-rooted prejudice
In parts of South America against the
United States and misgivings as to the
aims of an Uncle Sam who is still re-
earded as an imperialist by some of our
neighbors there seems to be an increas-
Ing tendency upon the part of the aver
age citizen to look to this country as
strong right arm in case of trouble
1t is impossible in limited space to
more than suggest few of the high
lights of so extensive an aerial survey.
oIle VI lllS UutoIdIlulIle iIllpIcSolOllS Is vi
the tremendous value, the reliability and
the efficiency of the air transport indus
try, which is reducing days and weeks
of travel to hours with a safety un-
rivaled by any other form of transporta-
ton today. For Is months these do
mestic and international airlines under
the United States flag have been op-
Grating without death or injury to any
person, in all weather, over every type
of terrain and through every weather
condition the world provides.
Leaving the Atlantic Coast on the
afternoon of June % via United Air Lines,
the writer was in Seattle early the fol-
lowing morning to catch glimpse of the
naval activity in the Puget Sound area
before boarding the Pan-American Alas
kan Clipper, a four-engined SikorSky
S42 flying boat, which arrived in Ketchl-
kan, Alaska, that afternoon. The course
was over Mitlakatla, where the Army
has recommended creation of new air
defense base in the southernmost tip
of Alaska, adjoining territory of British
Columbia.
The next day fight was resumed to
Juneau and, after a quick transfer to a
twin-engined Lockheed Electra of Pa
cific-Alaska Airways, the Pan American