Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-04-07
KAISER'S AERIAL WAR-SHIPS
From Dizzy Heights They
Look Down on Russia.
THE BALLOONS UNDER CONTROL.
Beyond the Range of the
Angry Cars Guns.
From Their inaccessible Height German
onicers Carefully Study the Russian
Fortifications in Poland--An Electric
search-light Used Mt Night.

ST. PETERSBURG, March 30.-The presence
of balloons over the forts and encamp-
ments in Poland is becoming more fire.
quent than ever, and this fact is causing
much Indignation among army officers,
who ore helpless to prevent military
secrets from becoming known to the Ger
man 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 greatly exasperated that he ordered
some of the soldiers to fire at the balloon
and If possible bring it to the ground. Had
the soldiers been able to hit the big silSen
bag floating so high in the air and make
holr 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
way bothered by the firing, and.
when they had concluded they re-,
turned whence they came The inn
preston grows stronger daily that 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 direc-
ton and the wind currents have no per-
ceptible effect upon them. In fact, in al
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 cur
rent in which the balloon was was moving
iii an opposite direction from the current
nearer the earth. This argument was rem
dered fallacious in a very short time by
the balloon stopping over the military
camp at Dombrowice ana then mannuvre-
ing 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 connection with the
appearance 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 absolutely
helpless to guard against them. 1t is the
fact Of this utter helplessness that renders
their indignation more deep and bitter.
A few nights ago the Inhabitants of
Warsaw were 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 were
continuing their observations of hassian
defences with its aid. The balloon re-
mained over the city until / o'clock in the
morning, when the lightwas extinguished
and the balloon heading. westward toward
The frontier of Prussia, disappeared.
Later another balloon was seen over the
ProushEorf railway station. II remained
stationary for time and then started III
the direction of the fort works, near
Kelets, where it hovered awhile, when it
returned across the fronties.
Reports of similar occurrences have been
received from Sosnovitsy and other places
along the frontier. The balloons come
from Prusslan Silesia in the night time
and projected the rays of powerful search
lights IN every direction. The balloons.
which were at a great height remained
stationary sometimes for the space of 40
minutes, and would then proceed in any
desired direction. There is no doubt that
the steering apparatus, whatever it is is
admirably adapted for its purposes, for the
balloons apparently answer to it as readily
as does vessel to her helm.
Russian officials hold that with MANAGE
able balloons the whole system of warfare
will be changed. 1t is self-evident that
none of the present Notifications would be
able to withstand an attack from above
them. Shells could be dropped with al
most 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 bal
looms, for the reason that gun carriages
have not been made that will allow Of
perpendicular elevation.