The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-01-18
MILITARY BALLOONS
A Novel Scheme to Throw Bombs
From the Sky.
SCIENCE TO BE TAUGHT
The California Military Academy, just In
corporated, Proposes to Promote
Aerial Navigation.

The incorporation of the California
Military Academy of Aeronautics was
accomplished several days ago, the
capital stock OF S25, 900 being all paid
In. So unique an organization as this
naturally attracts attention and some
wonder as to what its purpose may be.
Baron Macmillan Wolf is at the head
of 1t. AS a captain In the German
army he acquired his knowledge of bal
looming, and also an enthusiasm on the
subject that he did not lay aside with
his commission. Baron Wolf, sitting
In his offlce In San Francisco, explained
what the Military Academy of Aero
nautics intended to accomplish and &C.
casionally illustrated his remarks by
drawing hasty diagrams.
1--WE will give the members of the
militia" he said, "and the people of
the real army lectures ON handling mill
tary balloons and all the machinery
and appliances that belong to the equip
lhShl, ihSiuuihB lHc way W Hdnulc
bombs, give instructions as to how to
act as a connecting link between a bat
tleship and the shore and teach code
of signals by which any possible condi-
tion of circumstances may be plainly
Indicated
The baron paused here to explain
part of the mechanism of the code.
The mineral system is used. During
the day flashes of light will be depended
upon, and at night there will be fire of
varied hue, white, red and blue. Three
cylinders are filled with magnesium,
capable of producing, when forced into
flame, these three colors. Running
through the cylinders is a rubber tube
with bulb at one end the other end
terminating at the flame. BY pressure
on the bulb the magnesium is forced
from any tube at the VIII of the opera
tor, and the result is sudden blaze of
1000 candle power, visible at great
distance. I'm answer can be flashed
back by the same method.
A balloon thus employed would be
captive, and whether anchored TO the
shore or the ship would depend, of
course, on circumstances. 1t would be
practically out of the reach of any mis-
sic even in the daytime, while the FIRE
into the night with the hope of striking
the enemy far aloft would be task en-
tirely hopeless.
1--WE have made an application to the
adjutant general of the state" contin-
ued the baron, ito enlist his interest,
and also to the secretary of war. The
latter has been asked to detail two sol
diers from each state to attend the col
lege and master the science of balloon
Ing. There is practical side to this
for the people of San Francisco. Two
soldiers from each state would mean
nearly hundred men here constantly.
They would spend considerable money
In all lines of trade. Then we hope to
attract the students of the universities.
The professors will be asked to attend
and listen to our exposition of our plans
and be enlightened as to the utility of
ballooning. We will try to get the
students to form balloon sport clubs
such as are in vogue in Germany, and
are there practically adjuncts of the
military. 1t is the finest sport in the
world.
"Flner than football2 Certainly, for it
requires brains. The members would
have to possess not alone courage, but
a knowledge of physics, of astronomy,
and navigation will be essential. Co.
Ing up in balloon scientifically CON
sidered Is not merely taking place In
the basket and cutting loose. To man
age the military balloon requires skill
In many directions. To accustom peo-
pie to the rise of balloons there will be
after we get fairly started an ascent
daily to the height of 1900 feet. The
balloon used will hold fifteen people.
After awhile the sport clubs will not
be satisfied with this and will go up in
oaAoohs not fastened TO the earth.
Such ascents will be safe and, of course,
interesting. There is no danger of be-
Ing carried to the sea, as the air cur
rents are always inland"
"How about the airship you have
been planning2"
The baron sighed. "Ah, that is a
matter for the future" he said. "Wait
until we get thirty or forty of the bal
loon sport clubs formed in various cities
and they will unite to build the airship.
1t has been my work for many years
and know that the airship is not an
Idle dream. 1t will rise regardless of
winds and can be guided as surely as a
steamer on the ocean. But an airship
will cost 100000. that is much money
and there have been many failures. l
expect that when Americans have be-
come interested in aeronautics, as they
are certainly to be, there will be no
trouble in raising even this sum-"
Rich Gold Strike North of Ell Paso.
Ell PAso, Texas, Jan. 4.-Another