Stirring Story of Perils and Modified Optimism for the New Hardships of Aviators Year Beirut, Dec. 80.
London, Dec. 31.
A stirring account of the perils and hardships encountered by. the crew of the French aeroplane Georges Guynemer, which is flying from Paris to Hanoi, was given to Reuter's Beirut correspondent. to~ day by Captain Antoinat, the commander.
Captain Antoinat said that after leaving Rome for Athens a storm blew them far from, their course over the Mediterranean. The cold was so terrible that the pilot faint ed and another man had to replace him. They battled with the storm and fog for hours. Their petrol was nearly exhausted when they reached Adalia, where the Turks arrested them on a false charge. They were only released after strong protests. had been lodged ith the authorities, The flight was resumed in the teeth of a raging storm. They were horrified to\see a steamer and three sailing-ships engulfed by the waves. The aeroplane nearly shared the same fate owing to a stay breaking, but managed to land near Mersin the flyers were a mob of armed peasants who cursed and dear them. The French Consul induced the Turkish authorities fo come to their rescue only in the nick of time, as the mob were preparing to burn the plane and all the crew, who were half-lead from thirst and hunger, The aeroplane started again at dawn on Christmas Day and arrived at Rayak. From Rayak they ex-ect to resume the flight to Hanoi after repairs have been made to the machine—Reuter.
Modified optimism may be to prevail with regard.to British trade prospects in 1928, encouraging features being an increase in exports, a decrease in unemployment and an atmosphere of greater trast and friendliness between employers and the employed.
On the other. hand, while there has been a marked improvement in secondary industries, the depression, continues in some of the principal branches of the nation's industrial activity, notably the cotton trade, where employers are at present discussing remedies, including reduction of piece-rates and increase of working-hours.
Dee. 30.
Lord Londonderry, speaking at Seaham Harbour to-day, referred to the impending joint conference between the captains of industry and representatives of labour. He said hho was inclined to believe that it was better that the conference should have been called by a great leader of industry than by the Government. The fact remained that Sir Alfred Mond with great courage had issued invitations to the conference, He congratulated the leaders of the Trade Unions Congress on the way they had responded to Sir Alfred Mond's appeal. He felt that with so hearty a response from all those who were so closely connected with industry the labours of the conference must be crowned with—success.—British wireless through Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.