The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-20

culiar climatic conditions Lieutenant
Wise's army kite outfit for his experimental
fully compact and complete, embracinn
eight kites, which range from six to ninG
feet in height; an aerial adjustable canlera.s
with clever time clock release attach
ment, a set of army standard signals and
box reels, upon which the half-mile long and
specially manufactured kite cord is wound.
The kites are of the Malay. type, scientif-
ically modified by Lieutenant Wise, so that
in free flying they make not only steady
ing keel for themselves by the backward
bullying of the cover fabric over the center
stick, but adjust themselves in the air by
splitting out wind from the wing, against
which the air blows the harder, and In
creasing the resisting force of the other
half As the kites consist only OF two
sticks and the cover, they permit Of the
Wise and his assistants, Corporal Toole ana
Privates Hardwick and Webster. who have
volunteered to do the hazardous duty on
kiteflying in the enemy's country, can con-
veniently, carry the entire equipment ON
their backs
The kite corps, when once in active CAM
paign on Cuban SOIL will carry on a sys-
tematic series of experiments in kite pho-
Biography, with a view Of not only portray
ing the topography of the country lying
around the army, but of disclosing the en-
envy if they lie in open country beyond. Ir
successful photography of this nature can
be accomplished in Cuba, this new adjunct
to the army will be Invaluable in a country
In which practically impenetrable jungleS
separate long stretches of more open coun-
"
troops on the ground can only be made with
great hardships.
In actual practice Lieutenant Wise will
be able to run his kite up into the air, car
rying the camera, and, through the novel
devices he has invented, train 1t in any
direction and at any angle he desires make
the exposure of the sensitive plate, bring
the camera to the ground. develop the plats
in his dark tent, and, in a lapse OF time NOT
exceeding one-half hour, under favorable
conditions, be able to exhibit to the come
manding officers wet negative. which VIII
show the country for miles around and re-
veal any body of the enemy which may lie
in dangerous proximity.
The still wet gelatine negative, by the
way. answers. every purpose for obtaining
knowledge of the outlying country, and IS
as easily. read by the photographer as q
finished Photographic print, while possessing
the decided advantage of saving time wien
minutes may be priceless to a maneuvering
army. BY the aid of these kites 1t Is also
possible to establish a most effective siSaat
station the kites constituting floating
Flagstaff, UP and down which signal flags
are run by means of halyards.
In Florida at this time, of year Leutenanu
Wise has discovered the elements TO be
prpvokngly antagonistic to good results.
After several dozen careful trials OF the
unique tandem kites, which, under ordinary
conditions OF wind, are strong enough to
lift man into the air, he has found that
it Is impossible to send them up beyond
the best. 1t seems that they will rise read
lily and rapidly for the first hundred feet
in the. strong ground breeze, and then with
slower llIl uulll ltey stop dSoAHSt all az
parently motionless horizon of air above.
This is ample proof to Lieutenant Wise
that only the surface air is in motion at
this time of year on the gulf coast lie
is Inclined however, to the opinion that
this may be an unusual climatic conditions
arising from the prolonged dry spell which
is scorching the South and causing the great
army at Tampa much discomfort and suffer-
ing and that with the advent Of the rainy
season and the consequent cooling OF tno
earth higher and more universal air dls-
turbances will take place
Authorities on Cuba, and men who haya
higher air currents, believe that Lieutenant
Wise will not be confronted by the difficult
ties encountered at Tampa, as 1t ~ usual for
strong winds to blow almost constantly at
high attitudes on the island during the
greater portion of the year.