The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1892-04-01
GERMAN SPIES IN BALLOONS
EAGERLY WATCHING TIE CZAKS
ARMY FROM THE CLOUDS.

ARMY FROM THE CLOUDS.
The New Method of Warfare-France and
Germany believed to Possess an Aerial
Notwithstanding at the Balloon With u
Modern Long-Itange Rife.
New YORK, March "a cabegram
from Warsaw states: Rumors of war fill
the air here, and they are given the ap
pearance If truth by the presence in Po
land of an immense number Of soldiers,
who have been gathered from many parts
Of the Russian d0minons 1t may be,
however, that this massing of troops is
not for offensive purposes, but merely
with the object of preparing for The usual
spring maneuycrs. But the proximity of
these large bodies Of troops to the Prus
sian frontier. Whatever the object may be
of the military authorities, causes gen
eral feeling Of uncasiness that the least
spark may start Il contla grafton, the re-
suits of which no one can foretell. This
feeling Of anxiety has been added to by
the fact that the German authorities are
evidently taking steps to learn from per-
sonal observation the strength and dis
position of the Russian forces. They are
not trying to learn these facts Of supreme
military Importance through ordinary
spies, but are using balloons as the means
10 attain their objects, OF late-in fact
ever since the reports circulated OF the
arrival in Poland OF large numbers OF
Russian troops-seycral balloons which
came from the German frontier, have been
seen lowering over the Russian fortrcsses
and camps These balloons are believed
here to form Il part Of an extensive Ger
man balloon spy service
Recently balloon was floating above
The fortress at kovno. SO certain were
the officers stationed there that the object
of the halloonist was to learn military
secrets that orders were given 10 fire upon
the balloon. Notwithstanding the long
range of the modern rifle, it was imposs
bic to hit the balloon, which was at II very
high altitude, and It's occupants, by means
of glasses, pursued their Investigations
entirely undisturbed 10y the bullets aimed
i'm their direction. 4 close watch was
kent upon the balloon, and the watchers
were surprised to find that it appeared to
he under perfect control. After hover
inc about the fortress for no little time,
it returned TO the German frontier. It's oc-
cupants evidently having gained the
knowledge sought for. y more surprls-
ing incident occurred few days ago al
Dombrowice, eighty-four miles west OF
Warsaw. Here balloon was seen that
gave fiat contradiction to the belief that
aerial navigation is mostly, if not entire
X. 4 matter of wind currents. This bal
loon made its appearance sailing against
the wind. which ut the time was blowing
a fresh breeze When it had reached a
point above the military camp it stopped
for Il time, and was then mancuvered IN a
manner that showed it was provided with
highly perfected steering apparatus.
The Russian military authorities be-
lieve-and the handling of the balloons
that have appeared over Russian territory
give grounds for their beliel-that France
and Germany possess an efficient balloon
stceragc apparatus that will render bal D
looms an important factor in warfare. The
possibilities of balloons in war have often
been discussed, and if it proves true that
it is possible to send them in any direction
desired. a new and most dangerous cle-
ment will have to be guarded against by
the commanders of armies. This "lll
nrove most perplexing problem, for at
present there is no possible way of pro-
tectng soldiers in the field from a fre a.
rected upon them directly from above by
an enemy who is safely beyond rifle range.