The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-02-21
AERIAL FLEETS AND EX-
PENpITURES OF Gov
ERNMENTS.
approximately
Aero Dirigi- Expend-

q Bulgaria ...... 8 0 10000 8
@ Spain 6 10000 @
& United States. 100000 g
&@@@@@@4~~~@@~1@@@@@1@@@33
In an open letter to congress, copies
Of which were sent to each member Of
the senate and house, Alfred w. Law
son of New York, publisher of Air
craft, one Of the foremost advocates of
aviation in this country, calls attention
to the lamentable and dangerous posi-
tion of the United States in the ad-
vance of the new science of flight.
GAS l write" he says, "the United
States of America stands thirteenth on
the list of governments that have made
expenditures for the purpose of aerial
development China ranks still below
us, but so pitifully insignificant have
been the American appropriations for
this work that China could overtake
and go beyond us in a day"
Mr.. Lawson states at the outside his
opinion that "the time has now ar
rived for this nation to start the con-
struction of great aerial feet both for
offensive and defensive purposes. In
fact, in view of the great progress Of
other nations along these lines, further
delay on our part must be considered
little short of criminal negligence. De-
lay is jeopardizing the best interest Of
our people and of the army and navy
in particular. For every year we delay
now two years will be required later
to overtake the nations that now lead
us and are increasing that lead with
every setting of the sun"
United States Should Spend $1o,000,oo0
Mr. Lawson's estimate of the needs
Of America is an immediate appropria-
ton of $10,000000 by congress for an
adequate aerial fleet of both aeroplanes
and dirigibles, besides the necessary
personnel, the removal of duty from
foreign airships Grigid dirigibles) for
two years to stimulate their importa-
tion, while maintaining a heavy tariff
on aeroplanes and otherwise stimulat-
ing the manufacture of both types in
this country by subsidies and govern
ment purchases.
Germany" he says, '1eads the coun-
tries of the world in governmental ex-
penditures, having expended to date
approximately $1oOOO,OO0 for aeronau-
teal equipment.
Asserts Possibility of Invasion.
Germany, for instance, could play
havoc with this country If war broke
out today. Yes: within thirty days
it could have within our shores and
riorhf hno1c af ton, ont
armorclad air cruisers of the Zeppelin
and Schuette-Lanz types and 200 or
more of the latest pattern war aero
planes How? you ask. The easiest
way possible. These ten great air
cruisers could be accompanied across
the ocean by a flotilla of steamships
with supplies, just as a fleet of naval
vessels are accompanied by colliers
and supply ships on their long voyages.
"They could be reprovisioned, re.
gasolined and recharged with hydro
gen gas as often as necessary en- route
by these supply ships and again in
Vulnerable times while standing off
our very shores, say hundred miles
away and out of sight of our forts aud
fleets. These airships, which have Il
radius of action of about 1,200 miles
and are capable of staying in the air
for forty-eight hours without the ne
cessity of having to be restocked with
gasoline or hydrogen, could float over
our forts and fleets as though they
never existed and find their way right
TO the very hearts Of our great cities
Na naFansa AHaiIakIa
'It would require but two or three of
these great ships of the air to float over
Washington and lay its magnificent
public buildings in waste. They could
pour down shot and shell-in fact, tons
of ignitible eXplosives-right over the
halls of congress themselves, and the
strangest part of the whole affair would
be our absolute helplessness to prevent
it. They could come and go by day or
by night without opposition by merely
rising high enough. All they would
have to do would be to discharge their
cargo Of explosives and return over
our great fOrtresses, without fear OF
harm to their ocean convoy, reload
and repeat the operation.
Japan is even now stealthily collect
ing a feet Of both aeroplanes and dirigi
bles. Within one short year she has
outdistanced us in governmental ap-
propriations for aeronautical work at 8
ration Of about 8 to l."