the aeroplane was a scientific curiosity. The Battle
of the Nations blooded it; and its wonderful utility in speeding the end
of the war has proved its right to be recognised as a distinct factor in
human movement.

When the war crash came there were two aerial types; the lighter than
air type, the dirigible balloon; and the heavier than air machine, the
aeroplane. This is how the Powers stood in aerial furnishing when the
first shot was fired. Germany and Austria had 25 airships, including 11
Zeppelins, as well as 556 aeroplanes.

England, France, Russia and Belgium had 33 airships and 1019 aeroplanes.

The English dirigibles had not made long flights, and not being very
dependable had not received much attention from the military
authorities. A non-dependable factor in war is worse than useless. A
mistake may be made in tactics, but when ascertained may be retrieved
and, perhaps, turned to good account. Non-dependability is fatal, as
many a commander would not know how to act, and in war, he who hesitates
is lost.

The French had experimented a good deal with the dirigible, but mostly
of the non-rigid type, which was a type "without a backbone" and was as
uncertain, so that its general non-dependability turned French attention
to the aeroplane.

The Germans, however, pinned their faith on the balloon, and for long
made it a feature for observation purposes, so that when Zeppelin
brought out his rigid framework balloon, Germany fancied she saw in it
the command of the air.

The Zeppelin, however, had many disabilities over the aeroplane. It had
to have its own kennel. It was almost impossible to get it into its shed
if the wind was against it. The kennels had, therefore, to be either on
wheels or floating. Furthermore, not being able to replenish its gas, a
Zeppelin had always to return to its base for supplies. But the gas
balloon suited the smug character of the German. Unlike the aviator who
threw himself into the air on a bundle of steel rods and rubber, a
propeller and a petrol engine, the phlegmatic German took no risks with
a balloon. He found, however, that Zeppelins were expensive freaks. They
had a habit of catching fire in the air, because the tail created a
vacuum and sucked back some escaping gas into the engine where the
contact spark ignited it.

One recently alighted in a field and a country bumpkin came over with
the crowd to see the fun. He had a pipe in his mouth. He was told to go
away. He