France Lacks Water Fliers.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 14, 1912:
Paris Writer Calls for More Attention to Hydroaeroplanes.
Special Correspondence - The New York Times.
    PARIS, June 28.— In view of the keen interest taken in the question of hydroaeroplanes by the Governments of the United States, England, and Italy, astonishment is often expressed here that this important branch of aviation has received next to no encouragement from the French naval authorities.
    A leading article in Excelsior, a newspaper which has focused public attention on the matter, denounces what it calls the absolutely incomprehensible indifference of the Ministry of Marine on this point. It is pointed out that in the naval warfare of the future aeroplanes will be of paramount importance to fleets in scout work, and that unless they are to be absurdly hampered in their movements it is obviously necessary that they be constructed to alight on the surface of the water, which more often than not, will be agitated.
    The hydro-aeroplane is still, however, in a very rudimentary state, constructors here having so far recoiled from the huge expense necessary in perfecting a type of air vessel for which there will be hardly any market when ready, owing to lack of official support. As a consequence the best aviators in the navy are compelled to use land aeroplanes.
    Nevertheless not more than a hundredth part of the sums voted for scouting purposes in the navy goes to maritime aviation, which will eventually revolutionize this branch of the service. Of this amount the greater part is being spent on a Freyus aerodrome, which will not be ready before the end of the year, and only $40,000 remains for the purchase of machines. Those which have been bought with this pittance have either never been tried at all or only in calm water.
    The article, the writer of which is a well-known practical authority on aviation, points out that unless the French Navy is to fall far behind those of the other powers mentioned, constructors must be encouraged by the State. He calls for a special contest of "high sea avions" with the object of selecting the best types for the purposes of the navy. The strictest rules should be framed for tests of navigability, and defective machines should be eliminated by severe and repeated trials in hoisting and lowering into the water. The machines should be of metal throughout, it is thought, in view of the severe strain on all parts, caused by the special conditions, and should be restricted to certain dimensions and be two-seated. The latter condition is considered necessary from the fact that a trained observer would be always required for lookout work.
    It is by the high sea avion, concludes the article, that France will assure for herself the dominion of the air on sea as on land.