AMERICA IN THE AIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 245, 16 October 1925, Page 7

AMERICA IN THE AIR.

AN ADMIRAL'S ATTACK.

« UNEDUCATED OFFICERS. , *

WASHINGTON, October 15.

Giving evidence before the Aircraft Board's inquiry in Washington, Admira\ William Sims, retired, who was commander of the United States Fleet in the Great War, strongly criticised the present heads of the sea forces for ignoring progress.

He said the Navy to-day was without a definite air policy or a real air organisation. The Navy for many years had been controlled by uneducated and untrained officers. This was the root of the present troubles. The present low moral was due to lack of confidence in the leaders.

The Navy Department, Admiral Sims contended, was violating every principle of command in the administration of its air forces. The Shenandoah disaster was a case in point. The practice of running affairs from Washington was unreasonable, unnecessary and unscientific. The department belittled the power of the aeroplane, while airmen were enthusiastic over the possibilities of development.

Admiral Sims denounced the Xavy for believing that battleships were able to successfully defend themselves against armed aircraft. He belittled the Navy Department investigation as to the relative value- of the aeroplane versus the battleship, declaring that it circled back to the preconception that the battleship was the backbone of the Navy. He said the onposition to the introduction of new weapons and the failure to test the effect of* the bombing of capital ships was due to opinion in the Navy. So long as that feeling existed no adequate progress was possible. He was opposed to a unified air service with a separate air corns from the Navy, as the latter would prevent aviators being educated in sea duty. Admiral Coontz, who also gave evidence, stressed the need for more aeroplane carriers.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)