Smyrna times., 1892-04-06
WARFARE In THE SKY.
GERMANY HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM
OF MILITARY BALLOONS.

The presence of balloons over the
torts and encampments of Poland, is
becoming more frequent than ever, and
This fact is causing much indignation
among army officers, who are helpless
TO prevent military secrets from be-
coming known to the German officers
who are known to be taking observa.
tlons from height that places them
beyond the reach of any bullets aimed
at them. One of these balloons re-
Gently appeared at Kovno from the
German frontier. 1t lowered about
the fortress there until the officer in
command became so greatly exaspera-
ted that he ordered some of the SOL
diers to fire at the balloon, and if pos
sl6le 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 horrible death for all its
occupants, but the range was too
great, and the powder burned in the
attempt was useless. The Germans
continued their operations in no wav
bothered by the firing, and when thev
finished they returned whence thew
came.
AIR-sHIPS A SUCCESS.
The impression grows stronger daily
that the Germans have at last solved
the lOng-studied problem of aerial nav.
lgatlOn. These balloons that have
appeared over Poland are under ner-
feet control. They move in anv de.
sired direction, and the wind currents
nave no perceptible effect upon them.
In TACT, III at least one instance. it is
known that the balloon sailed directly
against strong head wind. Some of
the observers accounted for this on the
ground that the upper current in
which the balloon moved. was in an
opposite direction from the current
near the earth
This argument was rendered falla-
clous IN very short time by the bal
loon stopping over the military camp
OF Dombrowice, and then maneuvring
to obtain positions from which the
camp could be studied in detail. The
motive power employed and the means
adopted for steering are utterly un-
known, but all the facts in connection
with the appearance Of these balloons
60 to show that they are under abso-
lutte control. The possibilities of a
perfect system Of aerial navigation are
thoroughly understood by the Russian
officers, but they are absolutely help |
less to guard against them. Ii is the |
TACT of their utter helplessness that
renders their indignation more deep
and bitter
SEARCH LIGHTS IN THE SKY.
A few nights ago the inhabitants of |
warsaw were startled by an intensely
bright light that fell from the skv upon
the city. All eyes were turned uD.
ward, but nothing could be seen save
a patti of light that ended in a small
locus. Many people in their excite
ment thought 1t was comet in close
proximity to the earth and were
greatly frightened.
suddenly the ray of light swept in
another direction, and when their ewes
became accustomed to the darkness
IhaC followed, they could see far up in
the sky balloon. Then it dawned
upon the people that it was an electric
search light which had caused the
brilliant Illumination, and that the
iermans were continuing their obser-
Vatlons of Russian defenses with its
'id. The balloon remained over the
,ity until l O'Clock in the morning.
when the light was put out and the
balloon heading westward toward the
frontier disappeared.
Later another balloon was seen over
he ProushkOn Railway Station. 1t
emained stationary for time. and
hen started in the direction of the
ort works near Kelets, where it hover
ID awhile, and then returned across !
he frontier.
Reports of similar occurrences have ,
'een received from Sosnovitzy and +
'ther places along the frontier. The
balloons come from Prussian Silesia in !
he night time, and project the rays of ,
ion.
UNDER ABSOLUTE CONTROL.