Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1919 — TRAVEL IN AIR SAFE [ARTICLE]

TRAVEL IN AIR SAFE

London.—Some of the wonders achieved in Serial navigation and other wonders contemplated were spoken of by Maj. Gen. Sir F. H. Sykes, chief of the air staff, in an address before the chamber of commerce, n that in four months, between July and October, 20 trips were made across the English channel. The mileage traversed was 8,085 and 1,843 passengers were carried, although flying was possible only on 71 days. As for the future, the government was looking forward to a weekly mail senice to India, for which 25 machines would be required and the charge for sending mail a few shillings an ounce. Another route contemplated was from Cape Colony to Cairo, for which airplanes and flying boats would be used. Suggesting that airships might be adopted for long distance flights, General Sykes said a German Zeppelin

flew from Bulgaria to German East Africa, carrying twelve tons of ammunition. When the Zeppelin reached Africa and the commander heard that the force for which it was taking the ammunition had surrendered the dirigible made the return journey, reaching home safely after having been in the air without landing for four days.