The Wanganui Chronicle. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA" TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1913. TO COMMAND THE AIR.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 19898, 16 September 1913, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA" TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1913. TO COMMAND THE AIR.

English jfiles to hand b|y the latest mail contain the momentous news that the Admiralty has determined to adopt an air policy of the boldest and most enlightened character. Profiting, it is said, by the grave lessons learnt in the rqcent manoeuvres, the Admiralty is resolved .that both in airships and in waterptahes the Britisli Navy shall be supreme;. A steparato Brutish Nlaval Air Service is therefore to be established, which as time goes on will grow to vast proportions. Action is to be taken forthwith. "Seaplanes," as the naval authorities have christened waterplanes, are being ordered in large numbers. Special inducements are being offered to important firms to undertake their construction. At the same time, airships are not being overlooked. Two are already delivered; eight, more are on order, two of them rigid airships of the largest size. Two more such " rigids" are to be provided with all possible speed. In this decision the Admiralty may confidently count upon the nation's approval and support. The art of naval war is visibly changing under our eyes. The science of airmanship has modified past theories profoundly, and its achievements in the manoeuvres have proved that the notion which would command the sea must also command the air. Only recently it was pointed out that in the mimic war which had ■just concluded the waterpknes had served as "the eyes of the Fleet/ That epitome of recent experience is fully confirmed by the Admiralty's new policy. The waterplnnes, it is said, have rendered such valuable services that the captains of nearly all the large battleships have asked to be supplied with them. What the waterplane, or the seaplane, is for short-distance scouting, that the airship is for long-range work. Between them the two are relegating to obsolescence the small fast cruiser.

" We%h,alre eijtefrgd tipon a. new ago^ and the 'anhouhc^enien^ made last month marks a revolution greater by far in its consequences and possibilities than even that produced by the apparition of the Dreadnought. Once more, too, and it is ta cheering reflection } the British Admiralty is marching in the very van."