The Washington times., 1910-10-05
Combined National Maneu-
vers Plan Suggested
BY DR.. Zahn.
is SCENE
SELECTED BY HIM
Initial Steps Taken and Proposition
Is Presented to General
Oliver.

Initial steps were taken today 20 or
ganize what is designed to be the great
est national aeronautical, military. and
naval tournament in history, and which
is planned 10 be held I'm this city.
The plan as now outlir5,i Is u gather
IN Washington a considerable Action
of the United States Army. TO call out
the newly formed Aero Reserve Of
America and TO assemble in Chesapeake
bay, of Annapolis, a squadron Of tho
United States Navy.
The fleet is to represent a hostile naval
force, which with the aid Of the aero
plane fleet is 10 attack the Capital Of
the United States, which IS 10 be de-
Tended by the army
Then the air ship feet is to turn 10
the defensive, and attack the war yes
sells rs they come up the Chesapeake,
dropping bombs upon their decks 20
annihilate them.
Dr. Zahn's Plan.
This is the gist of the plan, which
has been suggested by Dr. A f. Zahn.
secretary Of the Aero Club Of Wash
ington, to Commodore Ryan. Of the
Aero Reserve. and through the Chamber
OF Commerce to General Oliver. Assist
ant Secretary of War. and which al
ready has received the enthusiastic con-
sideration OF these officials.
This morning Granville Hunt, chair
man of the conventions committee Of the
Chamber OF Commerce. and Q. II. Gall,
secretary Of the Retail Merchants AS
ISOLATION, called upon General Oliver,
who is also vice president OF the Aero
Club Of Washington, and laid DR.. Zahn's
suggestion before him
General oliver. according 10 Mt. Hunt,
received the suggestion with enJhusi-
asm and invited him 70 come 10 the
War Department on the return Of Mai.
Cen Leonard Wood 10 the city, at which
time Gene. al Oliver is 10 introduce Mr..
Hunt. for the purpose of laying the
plans before the Chief Of Stan OF the
Army.
Aero Reserve.
While the Aero Reserve Of America IS
at the present time not thoroughly or
ganized, Il Is the expectation Of Mr..
Ryan that II viii be in excellent form
10 participate in the tournament next
year, if one shall be arranged by the
military authorities
One OF the conditions OF membership
in the reserve, and IL now has the fore
most aviaJOrs OF the country on its roll,
is that, in case Of need, the members
must respond 10 a call from the Secre-
tary OF War IN defense OF the country.
The tournament would thus furnish an
opportunity 10 the reserve TO demon
strate its usefulness TO the country il
time Of war.
The tournament is planned as
national affair and one which would
give the people Of the whole coun-
Try an opportunity TO witness what
the army. the navy. and the aero
feet mean 10 the defense Of the ma
ton. Both branches Of the service
are thus naturally interested in maxi
ing the event a highly interesting
exhibition which would arouse the
enthusiasm and support OF the cOUn-
try in its defenders
Coming To Front.
Commodore Ryan asserts that the
aeropIane is coming TO be an import
ant department Of the national de-
fensive forces, and that such an ex-
position would demonstrate its value
and give a great impetus 10 aviation
OF course. the whole tournament
would be free 20 all. as no entrance
fee could be charged TO an exhibition
by the United States. In Dr. Zahn's
opinion such gathering Of air craft
would be much greater than any
aviation meet ever held and would
bring out every importcnt bird man
in the country.
Mr.. Hunt said today that the con-
venttons committee would bend every
effort toward bringing about the
tournament, as II would attract a
great throng to the capital from an
parts Of the country he will can
upon General Wood immediately upon
his rsturE.