The Year 1917 was very important for the Wright Brothers as it was the year when their Patent was going to expire.
The Wright brothers are widely regarded as the pioneers of winged and controlled flight. Since their test flight in 1903 at Kitty Hawk, the Brothers not only became famous for their invention but also notorious for their absurd patent war tactics.
After their invention many local as well as international engineers had developed workable concepts of an airplane. Many of which were actually more advanced and safer than their version.
They knew their patent would expire in 1917 and before that, they launched massive patent wars all over the world to protect their invention and more importantly collect fees.
The lion and chicken (who represent the European nations) are trying to take control of the independent states in the Americas.
I believe it would be the spy system. During the war, some americans were for and against the war and independence. To keep in the know of what the british were planning, there was an elaborate spy system to spread information on the british troops where people acted as they were for british rule. :)
hope this helps!!
