The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-08-07
The Balloon in War


Much speculation Is naturally excited
by the expiration last Friday on pro-
hibitIon placed upon certain method
OF conducting warfare by the interna-
tlonal peace conference at The Hague
An agreement was entered Into at that
time by more than a score Of nations
TO refrain from the use OF projectIles
which might be dropped from balloons,
OF bombs which. upon explosion, would
dIffuse suffocating gases, and Of ex-
plosiye bullets.
TO the second OF these provisions the
United States and England withheld
their consent. but the others were adopt
ed unanimously. Again. regarding the
second and third there appears to have
been no time limit. An for the first
OF them. II was explicitly agreed that
abstinence was TO continue for flve
years only. The conference adjourned
on July 20, 1899, and the prohibition
dated from that day.
Some OF the military possibilities OF
the balloon were promptly perceived
Immediately after II was invented. The
first notable ascent by the Montgolfier
brothers occurred in 1888. Within ten
years thereafter regular school Of
aerostation was established at Meudon,
under the auspices OF the army, and
IN 1924 the head Of II. Colonel coutelli,
took up with him TO a height Of over
mile general and adJutant TO OBJ
serve the position and strength Of a
hostile force. This incident occurred
on the eve OF the battle of Freurus.
and the reconnaissance gave the
French a distinct advantage over the
Austrians. Telegraphy had not then
come Into use. Hence the information
which was secured was transmitted to
the commander only after the descent
of the balloon. Nevertheless, 1t con-
tributed directly to the decisive victory
which followed. On that occasion the
airship was prevented from going as-
tray BY means OF rope and MINDLESS
Ian expedient which has been generai-
ly adopted ever since when balloons
have been employed for observation.
AT Santiago in 1898 there was, in adj
dillon to the rope. a telegraph wire. by
means OF which the signal officer aloft
could communicate directly and in
simultaneously with headquarters.
Balloons have been used In almost
every great war for a century. The
first Napoleon took a number OF them
into Egypt IN order to impress the
Arabs with the superiority OF European
Ideas. In the Siege OF Paris. 1901,
the attempt was made 10 establish
postal communication by means OF air
ships between the beleaguered city and
he national authorities as the carrier
pigeon service. After all, the principal
use OF the balloon hitherto
has been reconnaissance, and one Of
icer after another has testified to the
help thus received. Lord wolseley has
asserted that he finished his campaign
N the Soudan far more quickly than
would otherwise have been possible be-
,ause Of such aid.
An observer In a captive balloon is
exposed to great danger from the en-
.my's guns. Even Coutelle. over a |
century ago was threatened by a cam
ION shot. and was Obliged to let out
more rope to insure safety. Today the
dauser and other rifles carried by in
antry soldiers have range of three
niles or more. AT Santiago showers
4 well directed bullets flew around the
lgnal officers who were on duty and
whose elevation was at no time greater
han 1900 feet. There were narrow
scapes from instant death on that ac-
cunt, to say nothing of injury from
descent had the balloon
'een badly punctured.
Such risks have furnished an import
mt incentive for experiments with air.
hips which could be kept moving by
uitable machinery. In the United
states the war department has lent en-
engagement to Professor Langley for
hat reason, and several European pow
RS have pursued similar policy for
I least twenty years. The prototype
I the Santos-D -Dumont machine was
eveloped by two French army omcers,
Ienard and Krebs. They used electric
over instead Of gasoline engines to
rive their screws. but they adopted
he cigar shaped gas bag. In order to
essen the resistance encountered from
he atmosphere while flying horizon
ally. They are said to be the first