The Hawaiian gazette., 1906-03-16

to reflect how an apparently trivial
thing may alter the whole fate of ma
tions. Where Frederick the Great
would probably have rushed in VIII
liam IL. has paused. The moment for
action may have passed. II Russia
can secure five years in which to re-
organize, the balance of power in
Europe will be practically restored
for an entente cordiale may he ar
ranged between that wiser Russia and
Great Britain. Meanwhile the sun OF
progress does not stand still to oblige
even Emperors. Ten years hence war
fare may take on still more difficult
aspect for the assailants. One of the
most recent hints of what Is coming
in the battles of the future Is afforded
by the success which has attended the
French efforts in regard to submarines
and submersibles, and I'm regard to
aerial navigation. In the latter de-
partment of inventive effort the results
are very practical. Recently the
French military authorities have car
ried out experiments with the latest
Lebaudy airship In the vicinity of Tout
(on the German frontier), where there
Is that French fortress which Is most
menaced just now. The first trip was
made on October 8. with a view to
doing honor, to the Minister for War,
who had come to inaugurate a new
bridge. The series of military tests.
properly so-called, did not commence
till the 18th. On October "a M. Ber-
teaux, the Minister for War. wishing
to make a personal test OF these re- /,
markable experiments. made an ascentz
himself in the balloon so as to verify
tx.A 4. l.xaA
ested I'm as regards the science Of
aeronautics. For three-quarters of an
hour he carried out evolutions above
the town and several forts and at last
came to earth again without the
slightest hitch precisely at the point OF
departure. To sum up, the committee
OF inquiry. nominated by the Minis
ter himself and under the supervision
of which the whole of the military
tests were carried out, has verified the
fact that the "Lebaudy H." has sue
ceeded in complying with all the severe
tests to which 1t was subjected with
the greatest ease 1t was possible to
observe the movements of troops. the
positions taken up, by batteries, and
works of all kinds when looking down
vertically without the least difficulty
even from considerable attitudes, and
1t was possible TO secure very exact
indications by the aid of telegraphy-
1t was found that projectiles could be
dropped vertically with perfect preci-
sion: at height of 400 metres 80 per
cent. of the projectiles struck a sur
face of 20 square metres. Not single
hitch, nor even the slightest difficulty
was encountered. 1t Is quite impossi-
BILE for any gas to escape, by reason
of the remarkable construction of the
envelope, which is formed of two ma
and provided with two layers of rub
Der. The consumption of hydrogen,
when out of action, is solely due to
the necessity of keeping the pressure
constant so as to counterbalance all
fluctuations In the temperature. This
consumption may amount to- but never
exceeds. per cent. per diem. The
envelope Is also characterized by
very curious elastic property; rifle
balls do not cause any perforations, or
they are so small that only a very
small amount of gas escapes whilst
the whole closes up entirely after the
passage of the ball I'm the same way
as human skin. IL Providence Is usu-
ally on the side of the biggest bat-
talions Il sometimes provides an anti
dote for them. The Emperor of EuroDe
may find the mastery of the air nee
essary part OF his equipment-and may
not be able to obtain it.-Sydney Town
and Country Journal.