AVIATION.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14650, 2 March 1918, Page 2

AVIATION.

A POSSIBLE WEAPON F&tt

ASIATICS

"Aviation the most important discovery of trie last century," said bir John Denriiston, in proposing the toast of 'Aviation' at' Cimsteiiurch on Saturday night. "To me thy conquest of the air is not only the most wonderful, but the most pregnant discovery of modern times. 1 cannot at present imagine any circumstances in which I could iind .myself in a Jlying machine. Frankly, I envy those who go up in them. JL may possibly get over my present feeling, for I once had.. similar,. ..feelings about a bicycle. To think what has been done in the air is to me almost incredible Tlie familiarity and courage and presence of mind and command of nerves that the aviator displays is a [subject I /can only look at with awe."

"Aviation must bajve an enormous future," Sir John: continued. '•The question /was solved when one of the Wright brothers found' that a heavier body than air could be held and supported in air. The rest has all been simply a question of development. One could, speak the whole nigiit ,on this subject. We may come to warfare in the air as. the determining factor of the future. I am erotgh of an Englishman (or Briton) to hope that- the same' faculty or'- quality'bf grit winch has placed I'Jngland at the head of naval matters -will liave- tha same effect in aviation. .There -are some very singular and difficult problems to be faqed. It may be that the introduction of air warfare may put a, very dangerous weapon in the hands' of the Asiatic hordes, who have innumerable numbers and plenty, of grit and lack of nerves. I. cannot help thinking that we shall at all events' find in the present war that a very definite and deciding factor wili be aviation. It will throw an immense amount of power into the hands or nation? distinguished in engineering and with a large population. It^ ought to throw into the hands of America an extraordinarily valuable weapon in warfare." .:".'■"■■.