of those
which had been ruled out of court. One effect of this decree was to
throw some 400 expert aviators upon the waiting list for the simple
reason that machines were unavailable. Some of the best aviation skill
and knowledge which France possesses were affected by the order. It
is stated that accomplished aviators, such as Vedrines, were unable to
obtain machines.

It will be seen that the ultimate effect of the French military decree
was to reduce the number of types to about four, each of which was
allotted a specific duty. But whereas three different bi-planes are on
the approved list there is only one monoplane--the Morane-Saulaier.
This machine, however, has a great turn of speed, and it is also able to
climb at a very fast pace. In these respects it is superior to the crack
craft of Germany, so that time after time the latter have refused battle
in the skies, and have hurried back to their lines.

The Morane-Saulnier is the French mosquito craft of the air and like the
insect, it is avowedly aggressive. In fact, its duties are confined to
the work of chasing and bringing down the enemy, for which work its high
manoeuvring capacity is excellently adapted. Its aggressive armament
comprises a mitrailleuse. Unfortunately, however, the factory
responsible for the production of this machine is at present handicapped
by the limitations of its manufacturing plant, which when pushed to the
utmost extent cannot turn out more than about ten machines per week. No
doubt this deficiency will be remedied as the war proceeds by extension
of the works or by allotting orders to other establishments, but at the
time of the decree the manufacturing capacity was scarcely sufficient to
make good the wastage, which was somewhat heavy.

As far as biplanes are concerned the Caudron is the fastest in flight
and is likewise extremely quick in manoeuvring. It is a very small
machine and is extremely light, but the fact that it can climb at the
rate of over 330 feet per minute is a distinct advantage in its favour.
It supplements the Morane-Saulnier monoplane in the specific duty of the
latter, while it is also employed for discovering the enemy's artillery
and communicating the range of the latter to the French and British
artillery. In this latter work it has played a very prominent part and
to it is due in no small measure that deadly accuracy of the artillery
of the Allies which has now become so famous. This applies especially
t