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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 0491.PDF
MAY 10, 1913. f;f "if y a Predom'iating naval Power, and any new factor tending to reduce our comparative naval strength as against the next strongest naval Power touched us verv closely. Thus, it was obvious that if we were to retain our existing na'val predominance, <tna it air supremacy was so important from a lighting point of view, we must also possess a certain margin of superiority in the air. It was lor the authorities and the experts to say what amount of margin would meet the case, but it was evident that a great effort must be made in order to obtain any superiority at all within a reasonable period, more especially when we know that our neigh bours would do all they could to fiustrate our endeavours to make up lor lost time. That meeting was entirely non-political, and their desire was to support the Government in their endeavours. Judging by the aerial expenditure of foreign Powers we must bs prepared for a much heavier expenditure on our own side than appeared to be contemplated at present—such an expenditure, in tact, as any responsible Government would hesitate to incur unless they were assured that the general public were behind them. Hence the great importance of the movement the) "fffe n<uW- imtiatin£- Government expenditure alone would not effect their object. It must be supplemented by public effort and public enthusiasm. It was not the first time, by any means, that this country had had a bad start, but had recovered its lost ground after it had found out the error ol its ways. They must organise and all pull together. Fortunately we had in our Royal I- lying Corps the nucleus of a splendid aerial force, but it must be very largely increased. We now possessed in this country much expert knowledge, plenty of inventive faculty, and not a few good builders and designers, not to mention many brave and skilful civilian pilots. The deficiencies were want of experience in building the largest types of airships and engines for our aircraft generally. It was almost impossible to conceive that English engineers, if they received proper encouragement, would not remedy the latter defect very rapidly. As regarded large airships, although we must have them, it was possible that they were not the last word in aerial nttack, and they must hope that by judicious encouragement our designers and inventors would retrieve the position. But there was no time to be lost—the nation must start at once as further delay might invite attack. Sir Edward Beauchamp, M.P., (chairman of Lloyd's), proposed : " That copies of the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to His Majesty's Government with the request that these may receive their favourable consideration, and with the assurance that any steps they may take in the direction indicated will receive the warm approval of the citizens." He said the meeting had not been called in hostility to the Government. It was intended to form the basis of a movement to stimulate public attention in order to strengthen the hands of the Government in dealing with this new situation, which seemed to be fraught with sa much danger to the country. Apart altogether from their usefulness as scouts, it was admitted on all hands that these aircraft were a dangerous means of offence, which might constitute a grave menace to our battleships and dockyards, and to our lft'0HT defenceless magazines. The military position of our country had been altered to our disadvantage. He did not altogether blame tht Government ; all Governments had a tendency not to travel too far ahead of public opinion. He thought the Government would act more swiftly and determinedly if they had an impetus pushing them from behind. It would probably lie said in some quartets that they were scaremongers. He respectfully submitted that scares and panics arose when people were not prepared for the dangers which caused them. They desired to remove all fear of panics or scares by preparing to meet our foes either on land, or on the sea, or in the air. This country had shown itself determined at any sacrifice or any cost to ensure its supremacy on the sea, and if it were necessary in order to maintain that ruptfltmffly that we should have these aircraft, then he felt certain that the meeting would send a message to the Government assuring them that the people of the country, led by the citizens of London, would support them in any effort they might make to deal with the new situation. Mr. R. J. McMordie, M.P. (Lord Mayor of Belfast), seconded the motion, saying he thought the vast majority of the nation would be perfectly unanimous and enthusiastic in support of the views which had been expressed. They wanted to aim at a condition of things in which from the while cliffs of Dover to the granite coast of Aberdeen, and round even to the bleak basalt of County Antrim, wc were absolutely safe. He believed the heart of the country was sound, and that the nation would be prepared to provide the money. Lord Desborough, in supporting^ the resolution, said this move ment opened out a great vista. Germany had subscribed voluntarily ,£360,000 for equipping an air fleet. Could not Great Britain do the same? If the thing was to be done, personally he thought it should be done on a large scale. They were convinced that they could raise an enormous sum, it might be for aeroplanes, dirigibles, or stations around the coast, and to encourage schools of flying. He thought it ought to be done in the way of assistance to the Govern ment, acting in conjunction with the military and naval advisers of the Crown. The resolution was carried. Mr. Stanley Machin (Vice-President of the London Chamber of Commerce) moved : " That in the opinion of this meeting the formation of a National Aeronautical Defence Association to arouse and educate public opinion on the questions affecting the aerial defence of the country should be inaugurated, and that this committee should be entirely non-party in character; and that the Lord Mayor, for the time being, be invited to preside over this committee and appoint trustees who will administer such funds as are raised, with the co-operation of approved organisations for its economical and proper expenditure." He said they were present as a large body of commercial men, representing the greatest commercial city in the world, to say that they required absolute security in the air as well as on the sea, and that they were prepared to pay for it whatever it might cost. He The new French dirigible airship, "Speiss.'1 ST 3
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