AN AERIAL FLEET.

Temuka Leader, Issue 5921, 13 October 1910, Page 4

AN AERIAL FLEET.

AMERICAN MILLIONAIRE'S OFFER WASHINGTON, Sept. 23A great sensation lias been caused by a munilicent offer by Mr John Marry Ryan to equip the United States with the means of providing a great aerial tleot. Mr Ryan is the son of the. New York multi-millionaire. He has undertaken to present the Government with a huge plant capable _ot providing a great licet of airships for use with the army and navy of America. The suggested twin aerial services would, of course, augment enormously the offensive and defensive powers of both branches of the United .States’ lighting forces: Mr Ryan s offer lias aroused the greatest enthusiasm in the departments of the army ami navy. It is made absolutely without condition, the 'donor not asking for a single dollar from the Government in return. The object of the offer is to give substantial support lo Iho efforts now being made to develop aeroplanes of greater size than those now in use-iairshipt, in fact, that could carry a corporal’s guard (that is, three-mem), together with sufficient ammunition to enable them to participate effectively in the bombardment of an enemy’s position. Mr Ryan’s idea is to create a reserve fleet of 1000 aeroplanes that would be always ready tor immediate service.