The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-24
AR ARMY
 LARGE IN NUMBERS
Aviators Are Ready in Case of
 War Outbreak
INSTRUCTION IS GIVEN
Classes of Aeronautical Re- serves Are Formed to Look After Every Department of Aerial
 Warfare

l New York, October 23.-(Special)- Americas air army is ready for busi-
 ness. John Barry Ryan, son of Thomas
 F. Ryan. founder and commodore of the
 United States aeronautical reserve, said today i'll a signed statement:
 We have S510 men in every state of the union enlisted in the aeronaustic re- serve to act as scouts in time of war, and for service in time of battle.
 "officers of the army and navy have been assigned to cooperate with him in the organization of aeronautic reserve corps.
 Here Is what MT. Ryan has to say:
 "The aeroplane will eventually make war so full lof horrors by it's inevitable increasing power to destroy Qualifications, ships and towns, that it will be one of the greatest means of bringing about peace among nations. It is still true at the present day, however. that na- tion, to preserve peace. must be prepared for war. The country commanding the strongest army and the strongest navy will be feared most. In like manner the flag that can rally the most effective aerial forces in the future will be a na- tion which no enemy will care to tackle.
 'It was due to full realization of these facts that I became interested in the organization of the United States aeronautical reserves. Only month has passed since the first actual recruiting work began at the Harvard Boston avia- tion meet. As soon as it became known that an organization was started which would be the first aerial militia in the world, not only did all the aviators in this country apply for membership, but applications f1oated in from persons in- terested in development of the aeroplane. It soon became evident that the United States aeronautical reserves were des- tined to grow beyond the plans and scope at first laid out.
 To-day there are more than 3500 mem bers. Every state in the union, includ- ing aviators, inventors and builders of aeroplanes and motors, army and navy officials prominent in the regular service in the militia of the states, financiers, statesmen. newspaper men, sportsmell and hundreds interested in aeronautics.
 ''The reserves are divided into four classes-frst, active members, which in- clude the owners and flyers of aero planes; second, war scouts, including war correspondents and those who will be assigned to accompany aviators as pas sengers for purposes of observation, chart making and reconnaissance; third, appren- tice members, who are any individuals interested In aviation; and fourth, junior members. boys who will be trained in the deeper secrets, of aerial navigation
 Gen. Robert Shaw Oliver, acting Sec retary of War, in behalf of that depart ment of the federal service, has assigned Brig. Gen. James Allen, chief signal of ficer of the army, to consult and eorre- spond with the United States aeronautical reserve in regard to it's relations with the war department. The reserve intends to put its services and resources at the dis position of the government in time of war and at the same time plans are being arranged whereby the regulars and the reserves wilk cooperate in the develop ment of the aeroplane as a practical war machine.
 Likewise has the navy department been stirred by the movements. Acting Secretary of the Navy Beekman Win throp has designated Capt. w. Irwin Chambers to occupy a position with the reserve similar to that of the war de- partment by Representative Allen.
 Up to date very little has been done in this country toward testing the value of the aeroplane in naval warfare. Per- haps this has been delayed somewhat on account of the strenuous efforts that are being made to produce more efficient air vehicles. Nevertheless, the navy depart ment has displayed deep interest in the aeronautical reserve movement and in- tends to give it its cooperation.
 There has been so much work in- volved in the organizing of the reserve that comparatively little attention has been given to putting into operation the purposes for which the aerial militia stands for, but programme of events will be drawn up within very short time and no time will be lost in putting 1t into execution. In fact there will be many important features attached to the work of the aerial soldier.
 "The war department detailed a repre- sentative to witness the army maneuvers in France, and to observe especially the progress made in that country with the aeroplane and the dirigible as auxiiaries As soon as his report is made public it will be immediately taken up by the United States -aeronautical reserve and plans made to outdo In this country what has been done abroad.
 Tt seems generally to be conceded that European countries are far ahead of the United States in this particular branch OK military development. We would be of the opinion that If such is the case, it is only a temporary condition. There can be no question that with the score or more of skilled aviators we have now in this country, if put to the test, we could outshine in skill many of the for eigners'