The Washington times., 1921-11-01


The object of my visit was to
extend an invitation to Marshal
Foch to attend a demonstration
in his honor this afternoon at
Kansas City. l believe it will
be the greatest of kind ever wit
messed in the United States.
The Aero Club Of America, COM
posed to a large degree of Amer
ican Legion aviators, will at that
time confer an honorary life
membership on the high chief of
the Allied armies and to me has
fallen the distinction of officiating
at the ceremonies.
Membership Of 10000.
| told the marshal that not
only every living member of the
that in ring" organization, my
own beloved Ninety-fourth squad
ron, belongs to the Aero Club,
but the membership. exceeds
10000 pilats, many OF wisofn,
fought under him In the great
war.
A sparkle lighted his kindly eyes
and he graciously accepted. 49,
This aerial demonstration will
be one of the sensations of the
convention, and we hope to put on
a demonstration that will impress
the marshal with the progress
being made in American aero
nautics.
As / entered the private suite a
large basket of what they call
missouri meerschaums," or good
old-fashioned corncob pipes, had
just been presented by the citizens
of the little town of Washington,
Mo. The marshal wore aviator's
boots, and while | considered it a
friendly omen, it had nothing to
do with my visit, being merely a
practice which he has followed for
a number of years.
At the outset the marshal re-
ferred to my services during the
war, and while | feel that in his
generosity he overrated the value
of my deeds, nevertheless / am
profoundly grateful for commenda.
tion from such a distinguished
observer.
As we reminisced along personal
lines his eyes, which | assure you
are something that will instantly
compel attention, were kindly and
at ease, but the moment there was
the slightest reference to mill
tary subjects they leaped to ac-
tivity and suddenly he became the
alert and careful soldier.
Refers To Wrights
reminded him of how two
American inventors had diligently
pioneered in aeronautics, only to
be spurned by their native gov
ernment; and how his government,
the republic of France had read
lily grasped their crude principles
and brought them to the state of
high perfection. Further re-
called how Rene Fonck, the first
ace and perhaps the most wonder
full fighting aviator of the war,
was countryman Of his.
This, ! explained, had prompted
me, as the representative of the
American air service to ask about
some of his theories on the value OF
aircraft in modern warfare
That the airship is indispen-
sable TO a victorious army he is
decisive without qualification.
Neither on land or at sea, accord
ing to Marshal Foch can a COM
mander expect to vanquish his
enemy without a completely equip
ped Of fighting aircraft.
They are the eyes Of the army
and navy he insists, without them
it is a case Of hit and miss. In the
great war which he brought TO
such victorious conclusion. the
airman of the allies not only at
tackled the various German head
quarters, but dealt effective and
staggering blows to the enemy
long before he came within effec-
tive distance of our combat troops.
Develop Commercial Flying.
"I am glad to hear that you in
America are making progress In
commercial aviation" the MARSHAL
remarked.
That" he continued. "is as
inestimsble advantage in provision