| Summary: | Arctic Airline To Span Asia, Alaska: Routes Outlined Now Await Official Approval. ARCTIC AIRLINE TO SPAN ASIA, ALASKA Routes Outlined Now Await Official Approval. San Francisco, Calif.—As the result of soviet Russia's development of arctic aviation, Alaska and the Aleutian islands are destined again to become che bridge between Asia and the United States, the Institute of Pacific Relations believes. In something of the same manner in which this route in prehistoric times permitted the peoples of Asia to find entrance to the American continent, the institute is convinced that the same route, only this time by air, is to become the bridge between the two continents. According to an institute survey, the soviet already has in view two alternative routes for its aerial services to the United States. One of these is from the most eastern tip of the soviet north, Cape Chukhotsk, across the Bering strait to Nome. The second follows a more southern course, leaving soviet soil in Kamchatka and following the course of the Commander of the Aleutian is» lands to Steward, Alaska. U. S. Permission Not Obtained From these points it is assumed that permission can be obtained from the United States for extension of lines to Seattle, although it is believed no negotiations have been started to date relative to terminal and landing facilities in the United States. In the meantime, however, the institute has ascertained that the soviet has been pushing the development of arctic aviation to a point where it is certain that Alaska easily can be made the "drawbridge to Asia." Reports which the institute have received from the Soviet's northern sea route administration show that during 1936 planes engaged in polar flying during the navigation season traveled 1,398,750 miles with 12,900 flying hours. The number of passengers carried was 5,400 and the freight transported weighed 1,980,000 pounds. Regular Service Established. In February of this year the soviet took one more advanced step in the development of arctic aviation by establishing regular mail deliveries between Khabarovsk and Cape Wellen during the winter months when otherwise the inhabitants of that arctic spot would be deprived of contact with the outside world. Trial trips were made early in February and regular flights were begun February 15. The institute survey points out that Alaska already has a well developed aviation service. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1936, the seventy-nine planes in Alaska covered 2,130,929 miles, carried 16,982 passengers and 2,418,616 pounds of freight. Linking of this service with a service by the Soviets would, the institute believes, contribute immensely to the development of the far north and the arctic regions. The soviet, with flights last summer to Alaska, the survey finds, already demonstrated the feasibility of such a service. As yet, the institute is informed, the soviet has not decided whether the northern or the southern route would be better. The more northern route is shorter, but slightly more expensive to survey and construct. However, the consensus in soviet Russia is that the northern route is preferable, although not ideal, and some sections of it as now flown should be changed.
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