Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-04-09
AERIAL NAVIGATION SOLVED
German Balloons lowering Over
Russian Forts.
They Como From the Prussian Border and
Sail Directly Against tho Wind
Methods of Modern Warfare
Will BE Revolution;zed.

ST.. PETERSBURG, April 1.-The pres
campments in Poland is becoming more
frequent than ever and this fact is
causing such indignation among army
officers who are helpless to prevent
military secrets from becoming known
to the German officers who are known
to be taking observations from n height
that places them beyond the reach of
any bullets aimed at them. One Of
these balloons from the German from
tier recently appeared at Kovno. 1t
lowered above the fortress there until
tho officer in command became SO
greatly exasperated hat he ordered
some of the soldiers to fire at the bal
loon 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 a hole in ii,
it would have meant n horrible death
for its occupants, but the range was
too great and the powder burned in
the attempt was useless. The Ger
mans continued their observations in
nv WY Dobiicitu Ny lhS ming INV
when they had concluded they re-
turned whence they came. The inn
preston grows stronger daily hat the
Germans have at last solved the long
studied problem of aerial navigation.
These balloons that have appeared
over various places in Poland
are under perfect control. They
move in any desired direction,
81 1911 -
no ~perceptible effect on them. In fact,
in ut least one instance 1t is known
that the balloon sailed directly against
u strong wind. Some of the observers
accounted for this on the ground that
the upper current was moving In an
opposite direction from the current
nearer the earth. This argument was
rendered fallacious in II very short
time by the balloon stopping over the
military camp at Dombrowico.
and then maneuvering TO obtain
positions from which the camp
could be studied in detail.
The motive power employed and the
means adopted for steering are utterly
unknown, but all the facts in connec-
ton with the appearance of these ball
looms 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 absolutely help
less 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 were startled by an intense
bright light that fell from the sky
upon the city. All eyes were turned
upward, but nothing could be seen
save n path of light that
ended in a small focus Many
people in their excitement thought
1t was n comet in close proX-
unity 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 thai followed they could see
far up in the sky n balloon. Then it
dawned upon the people that it was
an electric search-light that had caused
the brilliant illumination and that the
| Germans were continuing their obser-
vations of Russia's defenses with its
aid. The balloon remained over the
| city until l o'clock in the morning,
when the light was extinguished and
the balloon, heading westward toward
the frontier of Prussia, disappeared.
Later another balloon was seen over
the Prouschkauff railway station. IT
remained stationary for a time and
then started in the direction of the
fort works near Keletz, where it
lowered a while, when IL returned
across the frontier.
Reports of similar occurrences have
been received from Sosnovitsky and
other places along the frontier. The
balloons come from Prussian soil
in the night time and projecs their
rays of powerful search-lights in every
direction. The balloons, which were
at a great heiQ hit, remained stationary,
sometimes for the space of forty min
utes. and would then proceed in any
desired direction. There is no doubt
that the steering apparatus, what
ever it is, is admirably adapted for it's
purpose, for the balloons apparently
answer to il as readily as does q vessel
to her helm. Russian officials hold
that with manageable balloons the
whole system of warfare will be
changed. 1t is s~elf-evident that none
OF the present lortincations WouIu DC
able to withstand an attack from above
them. Shells could 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 rea-
son that gun carriages have not been
made that will allow Of q perpendicu.
lar elevation.