Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-13
The Aeronautical Reserve.

Prof. Langley, whose place as the pio-
ncer heavier-than- air inventor is now
generally recognized. long ago declared
that the aeroplane would find it's chief
use in the art of war, rather than the
arts OF peace. 1t is now believed by
many who have studied the possibilities
Of the aeroplane that it may serve the
cause of peace most effectively by con
tributing to the destructiveness of war
fare. That must be accepted as the
inspiration of the organization which
was recently Termed IN New York. and
the purposes and plans of which were
explained last night at the Press Club
In this city, when the distinguished avi-
ators in attendance upon the local meet
were entertained.
II is characteristic of the american spir-
IL that aviation was brought in this coun-
try TO a practical, patriotic basis by a
business man. For some time the avi-
ators had been demonstrating what the
machine could do bringing it steadily
closer to perfection. entertaining the pub
lie, whctting popular interest and dis
peIling the doubts of conservatism re-
garding the practical utility of the device
But not until man of affairs, himself
not an aviator. not a sportsman, but a
clear-headed worker in the daily field of
finance and industrial mana gement. saw
the need of turning the invention and its
rapidly increasing Operators into chan
nels of national use. as a safeguard, was
the prophecy of Langley fulfilled.
Today the aeroplane in America must
be regarded as an agency of potential
self-defense. The United States Aero
nautical Reserve has been formed under
auspices assuring endurance and growth,
to utilize the forces that have hereto
fore been unorganized. 1t is based upon
the obvious proposition that under mod
ern conditions the vulnerable area of
our country Is now extended over every
acre of her territory" Not alone is
the long seacoast of the Atlantic or that
of the Pacific a point of possible attack.
Assuming that other nations are develop
ing the aeroplane as q war agency as rap
idly as we are. it is unsafe to consider our
vast interior as immune from molestation.
From adjacent territory the United States
might be invaded, its cities destroyed
, and its people slain. by the employment
of fleets of aeroplanes laden with ex-
plosives From fleets of hostile ships
lying safely at sea out of the range
of coast defense guns might come swarms
of air craft. scattering death and de-
struction upon helpless millions.
This is the gloomy side of the picture.
The other side is brighter Yet il in
wolves preparations to do even more
deadly work than that which foreign
enemy might accomplish. The surest
measure of peaceful defense against war
menace is TO be equipped to infiict upon
an enemy heavier injury than he can
threaten. Until the United States is
itself prepared to fight In the air and
from the air 1t will be at disad-
vantage in this respect. 1t will be ex-
posed to tremendous loss. even to polit-
ical destruction. But with the inventive
ability of the people directed and utilized,
with the personal spirit and courage of
the inhabitants enlisted as n measure
Of reserve with the nation supplied with
an aeronauuical militia even more effect
i've than the National Guard, it will be
ready to meet any condition that may
arise.
The airpiane may prevent war 1t
promises to do that by rendering futile
all conceivable measures of protection.
become virtually obsolete through the
perfection of methods of their destruction
from above, without the possibility OF
self-defense. Armies may be rendered
utterly helpless by the launching of aerial
agencies of wholesale slaughter withou,
risk To the assaiiant. OF course, what
one nation does with the aeroplane as e
means of offense another with equal re-
sources will do. But this is a new
science OF warfare. It's limitations are
unknown. its possibilities unmeasured II
Is likely that when il has been analysed
and tested ana It's potentialities ascer-
iained warfare will become too horrify-
ing too surely destructive for contem-
] iation.
This new organization holds the germ
OF peace within it, inasmuch as il be-
gins the work of utilizing the sporting in
-stinct, the inventive genius and the per
sonal bravery OF the people To the one
end of national preparation against pos
sible attack from abroad.