The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-04

servations. For instance. the enemy's inten-
tions may often be closely surmlsed from the
formations OF his infantry. cavalry. artillery.
and train. From such data u good obser yer
should bu able to tel! II III" enemy intends 20
fight where he stands. advance, or retreat.
They arc carefully Instructed to report ouly
what may tie OF value or interesting TO the con-
handing General. and in wording reports &C
cordinG to unifor n. accepted system. SO as to
eliminate mistakes as far ms possible.
All the vehicles are modelled after artillery
carriages and-can work o9er any ground prac-
ticable for field batteries.
The most salient-fcntures OF the German
balloon Corps are tie. lightness and mobility
OF the carriages and the great care and thor
ouGhnoss-with which the observers are Sc
lecteI and instructed. In these important
particulars It probably exce!s all other armies.
GREAT BRITAIN WAR BALLOONS.
The balloon department Of Great Britain is
At A!dcrsho.. under the Royal Engineers. The
balloon Is made OF goldbcater's skin. which is
made from the stomach OF the on. dressed and
prepared by a secret process. II IL the lightest
and In some respects the best material for bal
looms. but u has the d!sad vantage Of being eS-
pcnsive and very perishnblc. II canno, stand
exposure 10 bad weather and rough use in the
field. The balloon IS spherical. The BASKET is
suspended directly from the ring.
Compressed hydrogen for imitation is carried
In long steel tubes.
The balloon and hand reel are carried in the
same wagon.
The ENGLISH material and organization are
excellent. The English Intend TO make eXfen-
slvo use of balloons IN future wars. Their bal
loon detachment Is frequently used In manoeu-
vres at .Aldcrshot and n other parts OF the
country. This is an important feature, rs IL
ui,.na tIn pbaaryera-nu pDnOr,unify NJ len rniuu
heir business practically.
RUssIA's BALLOON coRrs.
The Imperial order establishing the Russian
acros;atic park is dated May 1. 1890. This
order is worked out in minute detail. under
~fiftv-Se, en headings. covering the material and
personnel of the balloon corps.
The Russian balloon Is maze of silk coated
with varnish. 1t is larger than the Prussian
balloon and carries two and sometimes three
men. The balloon and reel wagons are sep
arute. In the field hydrogen Is supplied from
n generator wagon. All tho vehicles are unus-
ually LcaYy aud will probably be very difficult
TO transport In n codntry 80 poorly supplied
with good roads as Russia.
The basket Is hung on-the trapeze principle.
The aeros,atic park IS directly under thr d.
reciion OF the electric section of the Engineer
CORPS and Is I'd divided into fortress and field de-
taChmcnI
The order specifics that one OF the objects
OF the park Is The theoretical and practical
training OF officers temporarily attachc4 to 1t
in aerustatic duty. Eight officers. Captains or
Ll,utenpnts are comsta0tly under instruction
for n period Of one year. In addition to these
the cOmmRn ling Generals OF Gistricts cornpris-
ing balloon dciachm"nts ma. IA their discre-
tim. order officers for short ter ms of instruc-
ton az Observers. 4 list NJ all officers who
hrvc pcrfo. med this duty satisfactorily il kept
IN the War Ministry. from which Ia select for
detail ia time ~ war. and II Is forbidden 10 de-
tail officers for tbs duty who have not ser Sed
Wiz. the park IN time ~ peace. This "egula-
tlon shows hIw fun" Russia GIIreciIt"S lhJ
necessity Of corps OF trained and Instructed
observers in war.
The balloon rark OF the Italian army Is under
the Engineer Corns.
The balloon is made Of China silk. coated with
VI rnish. IT must have tie power to ascend
and descend 500 meters In ten minutes.
Tho general features Of both material and
personnel are similar to those described.
Austria and Bavaria have well established