Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-11-02
Wireless Telegraph Possibilities.

The complete success of the experiments
in wireless telcgraphy between two Amer
lean wlrships at New Yosk separated by
distance of twenty-one mics
opens up wonderful possibilities in connec-
ton with military and naval operations.
The public has air ready considered the i'll
huonce which Marcori marvellous discov-
cry might have upon electrical communl-
ton between different points on land and
en- across considerable bodies of wateC,
obviating as it docs completely the neces-
sity of any other medium of transmission
than that furnished by the atmosphere
ana thus effectns an enormous saving in
expense; but the experiments conducted
at New York have served to emphasize
the possibilities of the system used be-
tween moving objects. 1t is easy to see
that there ought no longer to be any prob
ability of collision ia fog between ships
equipped with this system. and there are
other ways in which the discovery can
be applied in the arts of peace.
The most striking results from the use
of the Marconi system to be recorded in
the Immediate future will unquestiona bly,
be obtained from its adoption by military
and naval departments. 1t is not improb-
able that in the course of time the dis
lance over which the wireless telegraph
can be opeeated will lie largely increased,
just as the simple telephone Instrument
which the public first saw has developed
into the long distance telephone of the pres
cnt day, 50 that war vessels widely seplr-
atod will be able to freely communicate
with each other The value OF this means
of communication when a fleet is seeking
20 cutwit the enemy or preparing for ac-
ton will be Unreasonable and it will be
used in all human probability, in ways
which now would tan our credulity.
If reports from Europe are correct Mar
couis system is to be used in connection
with the South African war by the Eng
lsh in way that would have opened The
Eyes of a Napoleon, a Wellington, or u
Washington, or even of military heroes
of more recent fame. 1t is said that ten
war balloons have been taken 20 Cape
Colony and ten to Natal for use in spy.
ing out the Beers and noting their
strength and movements. Each of these
military balloons has a wicker-work car
for two passengers and is fitted with wire
less telegraph apparatus. Each balloon
/ holds 11.000 cubic feet of gas and is capable
of lifting 700 pounds, so that everything
necessary for its successful operation can
be accommodated.
The plan of action is to send a mil
itary balloon cut to reconroitre, from
which the information gained will he
transmitted by electrical waves to another
and smaller balloon that can be easily
towed about by men accompanying the
officer directing operations The great dis
tanco at which the system can be operat-
ed will make it Impossible for the enemy
to destroy the balloons with guns, ana the
advantages which the military balloon
and the wireless biography system in
conjunction afford will be of incalcuablt
value
Five yeacs ago even the suggestion OF
this possibility would have been greeted
with derisiVe laughter, but the success OF
the experiments between warships at New
York, experimenting preceding tests, has
amply demonstrated the feasibility of en-
ploying the wireless telegraph in conncc
ton with both military and naval opera
tons