the British community of Shanghai as loyal part of the people of the British Commonwealth of Nations so very enthusiastically observed Empire Day, their national day, it is interesting to learn that in England the occasion was. utilized for pressing home the importance of the "Royal. Air Force. In recent years, the flying forces of the Empire Which, at the end of the Great War were "the largest' and the most efficient in the world, have been allowed to diminish in strength until at the "present time Britain ranks fifth in the list of the world fleet strengths. As a gesture, to the public the Air Ministry decided to open 50 Royal Air Force stations for inspection somewhat on the lines of the aval Weeks held at various ports along the coast. In this way the public is to be introduced to the organization of the RAF. and its importance as a fighting unit, Of course, there is little need to stress thie point. The general public mu:
well aware of the value of air but unfortunately the authorities have permitted the force to sink to such humble levels as to be practically a negligible factor. There no question as to whether public opinion has to be educated to the Value of aircraft: it is already well educated on the point but its er thusiasm has been ignored in, the ght of mythical disarmament ideals which other nations have not observed. The recent statement of Mr. Stanley Baldwin that Britain is prepared to double her air force is 9 belated but inevitable decision for whereas the recent Air Force estimates provided for the mere addition of two squadrons Britain's necessities fare nearer two hundred. This is the lesson of what might be called Air Force Day. she "acknowledgement already exists: what is wanted Is the accomplishment,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.