The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-03-26
EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
Rumors of War are Rife between
Germany and Russia.
TROOPS ASSEMBLE IN POLAND
And there Seems to be Some Mystery
About it..Halloon Spies Mt Work.
Evidence that tho German aud
French Governments Possess the
Secret of Aerial Navigation..Niiss
Hopkins's Case Decided Against
Hcr..othcr Foreign News.

WARsAw, March 95.-Rumors OF war
fill tho air and they aro given tho ap.
pearancc OF truth by tho presence in Po-
land OF an immense number OF soldiers
who have-been gathered from many
parts OF tho Russian dominions. 1t may
be, however, that this massing Of troops
is not for offensive purposes, but merely
with tho object Of preparing for tho
usual spring manoeuvres. But tho
proximity Of these largobodies OF troops
to the Prussian frontier causes general
feeling OF uncasincss. This feeling OF
anxiety has been added TO by the fact
that the general authorities arc evil
dontly taking steps tolearn from por-
sonal observation the strength and dis
position OF the Russian forces. OF late,
in fact ever since the reports circulated
OF the arrival in Poland OF large NUM-
bers OF Russian troops, several balloons
which came from the German frontier
have been seen lowering over the Rus
sian fortresscs anil camps. These bal
looms are believed here 10 form part Of
all extensive German balloon spy SER
vice. ~. !. st lsIl Ia;
Recently balloon was flowing above
the fortress Mt Kovde. So certain wero
they that the object OF tho balloonists
was to learn military secrets that orders
were given to fire OIL the balloon. Not
withstandins the long range OF the
modern rife, it was impossible to hit
the balloon, which was at very high
altitude, and its occupants, by means
OF glasses, pursued their investigations
undisturbed by the bullets aimed in
their direction. A closewatch was kept
on the balloon, and the watchers wcro
surprised to find it appeared to be un-
der perfect control. After lowering
about the forts for no little time it re-
turned to tho German frontier, its occu-
pants evidently having gained tho
knowledge they sought for. A more
surprising inciden. occurred few days
ago at Dombrowicc. forty-eight miles
west OF Warsaw. Here balloon was
seen that gave 4 fiat contradiction to
the belief that serial navigation is most.
ly, ii not entirely, matter OF wind cur
rents. This balloon made its appear
ance sailing against the wind, which at
the time was BLOWN. a fresh breeze.
When it had reached point above the
military camp it stopped for q time, and
was then SmanGuvred in q manner that
showed it was provided with the highly
perfected steering apparatus. n
The Russian military authorities be-
lievc, and the handling OF the balloons
that have appeared over. Russian terri
tory give good grounds for their belief,
that Franco and Germany possess an
efficient balloon steering apparatus that
will render balloons an important fac
tor in warfare. The possibilities OF
balloons in war have often been dis
cussed, aud if it proves that it is true
that it is possible to wend them in any
direction desired, new and dangerous
clement would have to be guarded
against by the commanders OF armies.
This will prove a'most perplexing
problem. for at present there is no pos.
sible way OF protecting soldiers in the
field from a fire directed on them direct
ly from above by an enemy who is safe
ly beyond.