The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-05-26
GREAT CROWDS
The Race Will he from NarsaiIIes
France, to Madrid. Spain-Five
Immense Crowds to View the
Start and Watch Along the Road.
Six Thousand Troops and FOur
Tousand Policemen to Preserve Or
der and Clear the Way.

Paris, May 23.-Great crowds began
to assemble early this evening at Ver-
sailles where, before daylight tomor-
row morning the start of the Paris
Madrid automobile race will be made
In many respects the race will be one
of the most remarkable ever run. both
for the number and character of the
contestants, the prodigous power and
speed of the machines, and the proba-
bility of record breaking runs. Lead
ing sportsmen from all over Europe and
many from the other side Of the At
lantic have gathered here to see the
performance, as it is fully expected
that the records of the Paris Berlin
race in 1901 and the Paris-Vienna race
in 1902 will be far exceeded by his,
the leading long distance contest Of
1908
Owing to the participation in the
contest of a number Of Americans, in
Guiding w. X. Vanderbilt, Jr., and
FoXhall keene, great interest has been
aroused among the Americans, especi-
ally the members of the Newport set
who have arrived in large numbers.
Many fashionable parties of Americans
went out to Versailles in automobiles
and some chartered special trains.
Perfect weather conditions are GER
tain for the race. The starting point
is half a mile outside the town and the
start will be made at half past ; o'clock,
the automobiles leaving one minute in
terval between them. Many persons
fear that serious accidents may happen
owing to the terrific speed, the ponder
oh of ha lot of
and the great number of the contest
ants. 1t is expected that Fournier and
w. K. Vanderbilt Jr., will make eighty
five miles an hour on the roads outside
the cities.
Towards midnight Versailles present.
ed a scene of excitement and activity,
the gaiIy illuminated cafes being pack
ed with people waiting for the start
of the race. 1t was estimated that five
thousand automobiles were crowded in
the thOroughfareS, many of them dec
GRATED with Chinese lanterns. Many Of
the contestants arrived during the
evening, their huge machines tren-
bling and groaning, the cars denuded
of all ornamentation, most of them
reeking with oil and giving off foul va
pors. The drivers wore rubber-coats
drawn high and tight around the throat
and had their faces and heads COM
pletely enveloped in a mask. They did
not wear goggles but heavy plate glass
was fixed in their masks, forming
miniature window which afforded pro-
lection to the eyes without interfering
with the sight. The contestants sat
very low to minimize the resistance to
the wind. Each competing machine is
allowed to carry one mechanic.
Shortly after midnight troops arrived
on the scene and cleared the track, a.
total of 5000 soldiers and 1000 police
men being stationed on the road.
Paris, May 4.-The start in the
Parfs-Madrid automobile race was made
at a quarter to four this morning.
Charles Jarrott, the English automo-
bilist, was the first to receive the signal
to go.
w. K Vanderbilt, Jr, had a bad start
at 4:18 m. He presented himself at
the starting point a minute late, and
there had a slight discussion which
caused him to loss another minute. He
was reported to have passed Ram
bouille, tWenty-tighth in order at 4.45
a. m, going in fine form. He was
scheduled sixtieth in the order Of the
starting