MEN IN THE AIR.

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1910, Page 2

MEN IN THE AIR.

A French; newspaper, the "Echo de Par.i-s," recently made a world census of the number of aeroplanes; dirigibies and men. wtio could fly. France had -300 monoplanes and biplanes and 185 experienced aviators, 42 of. whom had stayed v -in the air. continuously for over a.n hour. But there were. only . four Germans, five Engishmen, six Americans and about half' a dozen aviators of other nationalities who were worthy of notice. Frace had manufactured and sold 1000 machines, but vhe output of very other , country did not then amount to 300. France had ten dirigibles, as compared with Germany's twelve. Both countries had eagh'tV 'nubX^ tindea: icon>sNtructioriT A' German newspaper, criticising these figures; says ;— "We can content ourselves with this: Germany and. France are about. equal ;in area, but Germany has 65,000,000 inhabitants, and Firance but 35,000,000.* And every day the difference, grows, greater in our favour. Why should . we. not allow these folk the inoffensive pleasure of dreammg?" •. ' .