Hankow, Feb. 15.
The- Chinese Government is appointed in its Soviet-built aircraft, As a result of publicity over the superiority of Soviet aircraft in the Spanish Civil War, it had been felt among the Chinese that the arrival of Soviet aircraft and pilots in China would considerably diminish the merciless punishment inflicted upon the Chinese forces by Japanese bombers.
Although the activities of Soviet aircraft and pilots are of great value to the Chinese side, the results achieved by this auxiliary fighting service have, however, fallen far To-day, February 16, Lithuanians all over the World ere celebrating the twentieth anniversary of their independence, which was proclaimed on the February 16, 1918, after about 125 years under the dominion of Russia and Germany, It is only twenty years since Lithuania became a republic but much has been done in that time and under the wise leadership of its present popular and much respected President, His Excellency A. Smetona, the country has made rapid progress in every way.
In Shanghai the Committee of the Lithuanian Association is holding a reception at the residence of the president of the Association between 5.30 and 7.30 p.m. to which all Lithuanians are invited. A cable has also been sent to the hart of expectations. At best the Soviet aircraft have only been on even terms with the Japanese, They have great speed, but they lack manceuvrability and climbing power. This reduces their effectiveness in combat.
The Chinese are now placing a great deal of faith in British aircraft. A number of British "Gloucester Gladiators" are being assembled here, and Chinese pilots are undergoing a vigorous training course in handling them.
Test flights reveal that these fighters have remarkable climbing power and can be maneuvred with extraordinary ease. They can attain a speed of 280 miles per hour at high altitudes.—Reuter.
President of the Republic, conveying; the congratulations and the good wishes of the local community, Lithuania is one of the oldest of the European countries, her history dating back to 2000 B.C. when a tribe of Aryans migrated from Asia and settled on the banks of the Danube. Later, being pressed by more powerful tribes, these people were forced to move farther North and settle on the shores of the Baltic, where large tracts of forests. lakes and undulating country make up much of the fine scenery of the 60,000 square miles of Lithuania In 1223 the Lithuanians played an important role in stemming the invading tide of Tartars, when Duke Erdwilas destroyed a part of Genghis Khan's Army.
Like other primitive European peoples the early Lithuanians were
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