(Continued from page 33)
I believe that the aeroplane motor will, in the near future,
be developed to such a degree that it will give no more difi-
culty than the motors of the best and most modern automobile
made. At present the motor of an aeroplane must be com-
paratively light, while at the same time it is subject to constant
work. I believe the problem will soon be solved. Already
steel has been improved and made stronger by special processes.
No one can say how far we can go in strengthening steel.
With an improved motor and efficient means of guiding
one's course, the aeroplane is certainly destined to figure as
one of the most effective mediums in the development of com-
merce and the welding together of nations that lay far dis-
tances apart.
Development of United States Has Followed the Wake of
the Railroad—Development of South America
to Come With Aerial Transportation
Countries in which well-made roads did not exist were the
first, I believe, to adopt the railroad and steam engine. The
development of the United States has followed in the wake
of the railroad. If it were not possible for people to travel
quickly by railroad from Texas to Chicago, from San Fran-
cisco to New York, the closely welded union that exists
between the States would not be possible. The railroad has
brought distant places close to one another. Railroads are
the nerves and arteries of the United States. In the new
countries of South America there are not many railroads.
In fact, because of precipitous mountain ranges and vast
rivers, railroads have not been possible. The countries of
South America have remained isolated and apart because of
this. There are cities so high no railroad can reach them.
Indeed, there are hardly roads of any kind. To these cities
the aeroplane would bring civilization and progress. Aero-
planes could carry mails between them and other South
American cities. Commercial relations could be effected.
Passengers might be carried, for instance, between Quito and
Santiago. I foresee a time when there will be regular estab-
lished aeroplane services between all the South American
cities. I believe these countries, lacking railroads, will be the
first to adopt aerial navigation, and they will do it soon.
I should not be surprised, if in a few years, there will be
aeroplane lines operating between the cities of the United
States and South America. At the present time business
relations cannot develop because of the long time required in
travelling and the delay of mails. An aeroplane mail service
would facilitate commerce. Whereas it takes a steamship
over twenty days to go to South America, an aeroplane
would make the trip in three or four days. Men engaged
in export and import trade having big deals in hand could
have agents make the trip, in four days closing the contracts
that under present conditions must pend during the transit of
mail communications from twenty to forty days or more.
The diplomatic relations between the Governments of Wash-
ington and the South American countries would be more
intimately established. New York could have the newspapers
of South American capitals on the newsstands just as Chicago
and Philadelphia papers are now on sale. People in South
America would similarly become acquainted with life and
news of the United States and the people of the United States
would know what is going on in South American cities. The
literature of the various nations would be exchanged and we
would learn to see the point of view of the different countries.
Large Air Fleets Needed for Protection of Pan-American
Countries
Besides the strength that is to be gained by a closer alliance
of the South American countries among themselves, and also
with the United States, there is another point to which I would
draw your attention. All the European countries are old
enemies. Here in the new world we should all be friends.
We should be able, in case of trouble, to intimidate any
European power contemplating war against any one of us, not
by guns—of which we have so few—but by the strength of
our union. In case of war with any European power neither
the United States nor the great South American countries
could, under present conditions, adequately protect their ex-
tensive coasts. It would be impossible to patrol the shore of
Brazil and Argentina with a sea going fleet. Only fleets of
great aeroplanes flying 200 kilometres an hour could patrol
these long coasts. Scouting aeroplanes could detect the ap-
proach of hostile fleets and warn their own battleships for
action, and larger aeroplanes attack them and destroy their
submarines. One of the most powerful means of protection
would be in such squadrons of aeroplanes, owned by the gov-
ernments of the United States and the various South American
countries. The European countries are getting aeroplanes by
the thousands, we should do likewise, employing them for
commercial purposes. In case of war, these aeroplane fleets
would enable the United States and South American countries
to operate as allies in protecting their coast lines. Am I
speaking of an impossibility?
Remember that, ten years ago, when I came to the United
States with my twenty horsepower airship no one would talk
seriously about aerial navigation. We now see what the aero-
plane has done in Europe, in taking observations, directing
battles and the movements of troops, in attacking the enemy,
and in the protection of coasts.
Aeroplane Speed Will Keep Increasing
Close association is necessary for the development of mutual understanding and friendship between nations as well as among human beings. Having already attained a speed five to ten times that of the fastest steamboat, the aeroplane, as soon as motors are improved, will undoubtedly bring the two continents closer, and thus effect an indissoluble alliance. With a record now of over 200 kilometres an hour, I believe that in a few years the aeroplane will make three to four hundred kilometers an hour. This would bring the most distant place in South America within one or two days’ journey from New York.
Aerial Navigation to Make a Permanent Union of Pan-
American Nations
Let us hope that, by means of the aeroplane, the barrier of
distance and lack of communications between the United
States and South America may be utterly overcome with
the result that for all future time the nations of the new world
may abide in cordial and co-operative concord. Lack of com-
munication in the old days is the basic cause of a fighting
Europe. Let us hope aerial navigation will mark a perma-
nently united and friendly America.
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View of Rio de Janeiro, and the Bay, where the Pan-American Aviation Trophy will be competed for next Summer
