FRENCH AERIAL ARMY.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14314, 27 March 1912, Page 9

FRENCH AERIAL ARMY.

THE NATIONAL FUND

United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright PARIS, March 25. Tho national aviation 'subscriptions now exceed £81,000.

A great national movement h afoot for equipping the French Array with the finest aerial fleet in the world (wroto the "Daily Mail's" Paris correspondent last month). The agitation has been strengthened by tho action | of the Government in sotting aside' £1,280,000 for tho complete reorganisation of tho French Army Air Corps. The airship and tho aeroplane aro to be the fourth and fifth arms respectively of tho military service- M. Millerana, I the War Minister, who is taking every j opportunity to encourage the revival of patriotism, ia determined that Franco shall keep tho advantage she already possesses in the air over other nations. At tho end of the year the French Army will be able to mobilise 341 machines and # 234 officer airmen t with a complete ' equipment of mechanics, sappers," and ■ pupils- M. Reymond; the Senator,! who, in order to get a thorough grip' of tho subject, has become an expert j airman, and has visited his constituents ! by aeroplano, has now placed himself j at the head of a national committee to supplement tho efforts of the Government. At a meeting at the Sorbonne last Sunday . a collection made in the i caps of tho officers present brought in £150 in five minutes. M. Michelin immediately subscribed £4000. MHonry Doutsoh do Iα Meurthe, one of I tho earliest patrons of aeronautics, and | tho General Aeronautic Association, promised an aeroplane each, while various departments and cities of Franco promised to furnish areoplano £nd balloon sheds, flying grounds, and earracks for airmen. The National Tund received a pathetic subscription of 4s 2d from the eight pensioners who guard Napoleon's tomb-