In the larger categories of fying ships Japan has not fared so. well fand is continuing, it is reported, to model is planes after British and American ships. Some years ago) the Japanese navy purchased a large ying boat from Short Brothers, London, and have derived considerable experience modelling their -planes from this. Several duplicates, in. smaller sizes, are understood to have been built.
More recently Japan has purchased large Douglas transport plane from the United Siaies and efforts are bea large number of Junkers, Fokkers and other planes have been purchased from time to time and, as in all such eases, these have been used as models for the construction of Japanese aiccraft. The Japanese, being the excellent imitators that they are, it would not be far wrong to say that the planes being built in this country, at present for the army and navy Incorporate the best features of the} world's outstanding alreratt.
'The present feverish activity in building was precipitated by the' Soviet war danger and two other things: "Japan's experience in the fighting In' Manchula and Shanghai four years ago und the severe criticism levelled at the government in the sessions of the diet during the past two years.
Outery Over Insumctency While no parliamentarian has been bold enough to charge the military alr force with being inefficient, there has been a loud outery about its insufficiency. The complaint has been that despite the enormous sums placed at the disposal of the army and navy only a small fraction of these fur was used to augment the air streng of the nation although both the army and navy admit the increasing importance of alr strength in the next war. With passage of appropriations amounting to Yen. 48,000,000 for the a alr ext br0- gramme ind the ear-marking of Yen 100,000- }000 besides this for the army and '¥en 110,000,000 for the navy in the regular budget, a vast change is expected to take place by the time the let is called again this winter, The public, moreover, is solidly behind the air expansion scheme. Ever since the Shanghai incident the Japanese people have been air-minded. This and their patriotism have enabled the army and navy to buildup their air forces consider ably.
Half a hundred planes have already been contributed to the Aghting forces by "public subscriptions. Most these, of course, were gifts during the height of the war-fever three years ago, but even to-day children in the primary schools throughout the country are saving up tinfoil with which to raise funds for more and Detter fighting planes.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.