MOSCOW’S AIR TRICKERY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1928, Page 2

MOSCOW’S AIR TRICKERY

ASIA ROUTES MONOPOLY

LONDON. Ortoher 2

A Russo-German air service (omhinc is making a hid for a monopoly of air routes between Europe and Asia. This combine is the outcome of prolonged ii.'gotiations between the Soviet Govern incut and a- group of German interests (.•'imposed of aeroplane manufacturers and air service organisations. A secret agreement is reported to have been concluded between the part’es whereby Asia was divided ; n'o "Zones of liilluence.” The Soviets are t i operate in those eastern territories which they control, or with which they are in friendly relations, while the Germans are to appear as the principals in those countries where the Soviets are distrusted or with whose rulers they are not persona grata. The first move has already been made in China. Since Aloseow is not lriendly with Nanking Government, the Russian proposals for an air line which were made in 1925 have been dropped and the German “Lufthansa” company are now negotiating with the Nanking Government for a service between Nanking and Berlin, via Irkutsk j ihe flight is to take only six days. .MOVE IN AFGHANISTAN.

The next move is contemplated in Afghanistan. A German observer in Kabul states tlu»t as soon as it was realised by Soviet circles that King Amanullali looked askance at the Soviet air monopoly in Afghanistan he was immediately approached by the Lufthansa representative with proposals for new lines, while the Russians kept in the background. According to last Sunday’s Izveslya the Mosoow-Irkutsk line will start regular services next year, as all the necessary arrangements have now been made to link up this service with Berlin. Irkutsk will then become an import ant air service j net ion. connecting both Moscow and Berlin with Peking, Nanking. Tokio. while branch lines wil serve Mongolian and Siberian centres. Arrangements are disclosed also showing extensions in the Al.oscow-Kabu! service via Tashkent, which will lin up Afghanistan with Germany. Thm

is made possible by extending the services to Alma-Ata (formerly known as Yorny. in Turkestan, to which Trotsky is exiled). Samarkand. Scmipsdatiuak. and other towns. A regular air service to Persia is also being organised. The Berlin-Alosruu-( \ install tinopie route, for which negotiations are now proceedings is to he via Odessa. Tin* Soviets have already laid the foundation for “ the first jump" by a service from Kharkoff to Odessa. The kharkoff aerodrome is the junction lor services to Moscow and other centres. It is stated that Teheran, in Persia, will he reached from .Moscow in 2f In urs. while lokio via Irkutsk-) ladivostock, will lie reached Irom Berlin in seven days. All the services are bein;: planned for mail; passengers, and light goods. “OUR FETTRE VICTORIES.”

Monev for these ambitious plans is to he provided bv the Soviet Govern incut. aml “ I y.\ eslyu ’ explains : “ While it is true that civil n\ intior. is a losing proposition, it is. neverthe less, a fuel flint losses are smaller ihan those made on war aviation. Speaking ■ •emmercially. war aviation shown losses ol tin l lull RIO per cent., whoiea. - civil aviation shows a loss only on H or (U) per cent. "Moreover, civil aviation is oi im mouse importance-from a war point ol view—and of incalculably greater :m porta nee than any other form ol transport. Aeroplanes particularly art 1 oas ilv adaptable for war purposes, just aj the mercantile ships during the Iniper iulist war were easily adapted. “ It is by creating a powortul civi aviation in the country that we are preparing for our future victories in the air.”