GERMAN AIR SECRETS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1921, Page 4

GERMAN AIR SECRETS

illy Harry Harper, Technical Secretary of the Civil Aerial Transport Committee). German air policy is now being directed with great boldness and cunning. The aim is to tell one person one thing, and another something quite different. In markets they cover they represent the true state of affairs, which is that Germany is developing a great school of metal construction in aeroplanes. and that her plans lor airships render out-of-date everything done hitherto. Sueli confidences are for potential customers only. For us the tale is different. Ingenious, artless hints would persuade experts here, if they believed them, that in none of the directions that matter is Germany making progress.

Clever tales, told in places where they ate hound to roach us, suggest that the Germans are becoming rather discouraged with metal aeroplanes. Recently there was a stage-managed dispute between German experts as to the technical suitability of airships for long-dis-tance living. Uasophiscated people might have thought Germany did not believe in big airships; which was exactly tlie impression Germany wanted to convey. Ear too much attention to please those behind the scenes in Germany was, not long ago, directed towards her vastly important work in metal aeroplanes. INDISCREET OFFICER. A German air commander was guilty also of an indiscretion when, handing over to us the L 71—the swiftest airship in the world —he said they were not cast down in Germany about losing her, as site was .already "obsolete.” A voice high up somewhere spoke soon after this. Boasting went out. of fashion. The' policy was adopted, and is being pursued, of throwing dust :tt our eyes. With vast plans maltiring, and people here lulled into false security, Germany feels site is on her way to aif dominion. Forewarned, though, is forearmed. We shall have only oursolves to blame if our vision is obscured by smoke-screens of falsehood. According to the Antwerp Neptune, an aerodrome is to he built near the city, and it is hoped this year to run air services from London to Paris via Brussels, to Strasbourg via. Rotterdam and Amsterdam, ami to Copenhagen, i