AIRCRAFT.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18308, 16 February 1925, Page 10

AIRCRAFT.

VALUE IN WARFARE.

AMERICAN ENQUIRY.

(bt cable— press association—coptbight.) {Stdhey "Sex" Service.)

(Received February 15. 11.40 p.m.)

WASHINGTON. February 14

Public interest throughout the country is now centred on the aviation controversy.

Contradictory testimony, much of it of a sensational character, is being given before the House Aircraft Committee which is sitting to investigate General Mitchell's charges, and enquire into the whole situation and make recommendations to Mr Coolidge. The witnesses include prominent Navy and Army officers, and aviators.

Colonel Hartley, who was American Air Commander in the World "War. testified that all the strategic points in the United States, particularly New York, were open to air attacks. He pointed out innovations in the British air forces. ' and produced evidence that Britain had-devised a method whereby airplanes can lie refueled from the air by surface ships, thus giving them an unlimited radius of action'. Colonel Hartley also described a new bombing .method by which Britain's planes could be certain to hit vessels. _ General Mitchell, Assistant Chief of the Army Air Force, testified that the Navy was deficient in aircraft to such an. extent that a third-rate Power, equipped with proper flying units, could defeat the United States.

Colonel Sehaufiler, Air Reserve officer, alleged that during the 1923 bombing tests on the warships Virginia and. New Jersey Admiral Shoemaker changed a statement intended to. be issued over the name of General Pershing on the effect of tombing, tKe Admiral saying: "It is trjie, every bit of it,-but my God we ca.n't let this get out, or it would ruin the Navy." Admiral Shoemaker denied this before the Committee, declaring that the article stated the aviation standpoint of tests, but did not include the naval side. He had added two. paragraphs explaining that the ships bombed were not..'watertight, winch changes General Pershing approved. The Committee, on the recommendation of General Patrick, head of the Air Service, ' iiiided to deal in the executive session with the reports of the aerodynamic experts on aircraft designs, previously fejeeted by the Army and Navy. The reports are said to show that some designs refused as impracticable were found to be valuable. The Committee is expected to ask for extended time, to make its' report.