From time to time accounts have appeared regarding German activities in civil aviation. It has been stated that Berlin and Waraeminde form centres from which' radiate services in many directions, and that a network of aerial lines spreads over Germany. Recent and absolutely reliable reports, however, completely disprove this statement. Germany once more has been indulging in her favourite game of bluff.
As & matter of fact, at the present moment civil aviation in Germany is at a complete standstill, a special correspondent informs the "Morning Post." Practically it) does not exist Routes have been mapped out on an elaborate scale; tariffs Passengers and freight hi prepared and wide publicity has been arranged. The routes themselves appear only on paper; ground organization, so essential to the establishment of aerial transport, does not exist. One or two of the many companies frequently mentioned in the German daily and technical Press have central aerodromes, but that is all.
Take, for instance, the largest and—probably most—genuine—organization, the Deutsche Luft Rederei, which is financed by the Hamburg-Amerika line. The aerial fleet. possessed by this company consists of 50 aeroplanes, which are kept at Johannisthal, near Berlin, and a dozen seaplanes at War. nemiinde. The staff consists of about 25 mechanics. An English official, who has just returned from Germany, and who visited these aerodrome and seaplane stations, reported that no business whatever being done; the staff is made.
ate even to keep the machines repair, and both bases appear neglected' and poverty-stricken
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.