WHAT GERMANY IS DOING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 97, 24 April 1912, Page 7

WHAT GERMANY IS DOING.

"Germany has at last consecrated it6elf in earnest to the development of an aeroplane fleet," recently said Major yon Tschudi, the distinguished aeronautical officer, who has developed Johannisthal to its preeent eminent position. "We have not lost our faith in the superiority of dirigible airships for the carrying of men and explosives, but the aeroplane has now come fully into its own. Hundreds of Germans are learning to fly. At Johannlsthal, Leipzig, Munich, Mayence, Frankfort, Weimar, Teltow, and Muhlhaußen, where the most important training Camps are maintained, the utmost activity a*id enthusiasm prevail. In the army airmanship has become almost a passion. Many more young officers are volunteering for the new arm than the War Office can possibly use. Army orders for aeroplanes are rapidly putting the construction industry on a sound commercial basis. If the Reichstag were euddenly to pa<» a huge 'aerial programme,' it would find, that the plant exists capable of carrying it out. There is talk in official circles of a scheme of Government subsidies for privately-owned aeroplanes, such as now exieta with regard to motor-cars. If this project should materialise, Germany will become poseessed of an atr fleet which need not fear a brush witli the moet powerful rival." The German Army estimates for 1912 provide for £124/750 of additional tunds for the Verkehrstruppcu, which include the flying arm. It is believed (says _ a writer in tho Daily Mail) that the lion's share of this increase is deetmed for the expansion of the aeroplane fleet and for tho creation of "flying garrisons"' at strategic points on the frontiers.