Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1892-04-01
FROM ON HIGH
The Germans Are Studying
Russian FOrtificatiOns.
Spy Balloons Observed Under
Perfect Control.

The Russians Indignant but Helpless.
Last Solved the Long-Studied Problem
of Aerial Navigation.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 1.-The
presence of balloons over the forts and
encampments in Poland is becoming
more frequent than ever, and this fact
is causing much indignation among
army officers, who are helpless to pre-
vent military secrets from becoming
known to the German officers, who are
known to be taking observations from a
height that places them ,beyond the
reach of any bullets aimed at them.
One of these balloons from the German
frontier recently appeared at Kovno. 1t
hovered above the fortress there until
the officer in command became SO great
ly exasperated that he ordered some of
the soldiers to fire at the balloon, and, if
possible, to bring it to the ground. Had
the soldiers been able to hit the big
silken bag floating SO high in the air and
make hole in it it would have meant a
horrible death for Its occupants, but the
range was too great, and the powder
burned and in attempt was useless.
The Germans continued their observa-
tions, in no way bothered by the firing,
and when they had concluded they re-
turned whence they came.
Have They Solved 1t?
The impression grows stronger daily
that the Germans have at last solved the
long studied problem of aerial nayiga-
ton. These balloons that have appeared
over various places in Poland are under
perfect control They move in any de-
sired direction, and the wind currents
have no perceptible effect on them. In
fact, in at least one instance it is known
that the balloon sailed directly against
a strong wind. Some of the observers
accounted for this on the ground that
the upper current in which the balloon
was moving in an opposite direction
from the current nearer the earth. This
argument was rendered fallacious in a
very short time by the balloon stopping
over the military camp at Dombrowioo,
and then maneuvering to obtain posi-
tions from which the camp could be
studied in detail The motive power
employed and the means adapted for
steering are utterly unknown, but all
the facts in connection with the appear
ance of these balloons go to show that
they are under absolute control The
possibilities of a perfect system of aerial
navigation are thoroughly understood
by Russian officers, but they are abso-
lutely helpless to guard against them.
1t is the fact of their utter helplessness
that renders their indignation more deep
and bitter
A few nights ago the inhabitants of
Warsaw We're startled by an intensely
bright light that fell from the sky upon
the city. All eyes were turned upward,
but nothing could be seen save path of
light that ended in small focus. Many
people in their excitement thought it
was comet in close proximity to the
earth and were greatly frightened.
Suddenly the ray of light swept in
another direction, and when their eyes
became accustomed to the darkness that
followed they could see far up in the
sky balloon. Then it dawned upon
the people that it was an electric search
light that had caused the brilliant
illumination, and that the Germans We're
continuing their observations of Rus
sian defenses wits its aid. The balloon
remained over the city until o'clock
in the morning, when the light was ex-
.tinguished, and the balloon, heading
westward, toward the frontier of Prus-
sia, disappeared.
Later another balloon was seen over
the Proushkorf railway station. 1t re-
mained stationary for time, and then
started in the direction of the fort
works near Kelets, where it hovered
awhile, when it returned across the
frontier.
Reports of similar occurrences have
been received from Sosnovitsy and other
places along the frontier The balloons
came from Prussian Silesia, in the nignt
time, and projected the rays of power
full search lights in every direction.
The balloons, which were at great
height, remained stationary, sometimes
for the space of forty minutes, a-d
would then proceed in any desired di-
rection, There is no doubt that the
steering apparatus, whatever it is, Is
admirably adapted for its purposes, for
the balloons apparently answered to 1t
as readily as does vessel to her helm.
May Revolutionize Warfare.
Russian officials hold that, with man.
ageable balloons, the whole system of
warfare will be changed. 1t is self
evident that none of the Notifications
would be able to withstand an attack
from above them. Shells would be
dropped with almost unerring certainty,
and no city could defend itself from an
enemy far up in the air, beyond the
reach of any missile. Even modern
cannon, with their great range, could
not at present be used against balloons.
for the reason that gun rriages have
not been made that will allow of per-
pendicuiar elevation.