The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-10-21

St Louis. Oct 21.--with brilliant wealth.
c., and snappy racing currents In the blue
depths OF the sky. nine mammoth bal
looms, representing four of the great ma
tions of the world, will start this after
noon in the slanting rays of the setting
sun. on journey which should add an
important chapter TO the history of aerial
navigation.
The contest is officially known as the
second international aeronautic cup con-
test and the prize. a massivez silver
trophy and $500 i'm cash, will be awarded
to the pilot whose skill and daring lands
his car the farthest from the starting
point AS each of the balloons are OF
similar design and material. the race VIII
go TO the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, English. Ger
man or Amercan-who is capable OF tax
ing the best advantage of any favorable
winds, and who loses the least ground un-
der adversely. The race also marks the
entry OF the United States into active
competition with the European nations in
a field which has been left almost ex-
clusively To them in the past.
1t was through the winning OF the cup
last year in a race from Paris by Lieut..
Frank +. Lain, OF the United States
army. that the contest was brought this
year TO this country The three American
teams which will start this afternoon are
all that are allowed to enter under the
rules of the competition. but so great has
the interest grown In the science of bal
looming in the United States that the Aero
club OF America, which Is In active
charge. could easily have entered many
times the number of balloons permitted.
Considerable interest attaches to the
l,a hal In Lieut..
Lahm set the record for the race at 4o2
miles last year will start today and will
carry as pilot Major Henry Ii. Hersey or
the United States weather bureau, who
acted as aide to Lieut.. Lahm last year.
The latter Is Ill in Paris. Two German
ballons that were In the first competition,
the Dusseldorf and the Pomern. are also
among todays starters.
ON 5-MINUTE TIME.
The first balloons will be sent away at
% m, Central time, and the others
will follow at five minute intervals. the
acronauts are wishing for breeze which
will carry them "hull down on the no.
rizon OF the upper deck" before the next
starters are cut away, but IL is generally
expected that four or five OF the big pal
looms will be In view at the same time.
Spectators would like to see the balloons
shunted about on variable currents untii
night closes in on the squadron OF air ves-
sels.
Variable winds, however, are the terror
OF the long distance balloonists, an 20
mile hurricane being far preferable In the
judgment OF a man gifted In the handnns
OF sand bags and gas taps.
First away will be the German paIloon
Pommern with oscar as pilot. and Pro''
III III. Clayton OF the Blue Hill Observa-
tory. Hyde Park Mass, as aide Inc
other two German contestants VIII start
I'm fourth and eighth places.
Americas three teams Will starr seconu'
slxth and ninth; Frances two teams go
third and seventh and the one Engnsh
entrant the Lotus H.. Will be tho htth
20 ascend.
THE STARTING ORDER.
The officIaI order of start ~ as follows'
an m.-Gerrnan balloon Pommern, H.
600 cubic feet capacity. oscar Ehsloeh, pi-
lot: Prof. clayton aide.
A'o6 n m.-kmerican balloon United
states. 72,250 cubic feet, Maj. III. u. Her
sew. pilot A. II. Atherholt aide.
I.lO %. m.-French balloon LIsle dc
France. 1000 cubic feet, AIRED Leblanc
blot; Edgar w. Mix aide.
AIS D. m.-German balloon Dusseldorf.
n. 900 cubic feet: Capt. Hugo Won Aber-
cron pilot; III. Heidemann aide
400 D. m.-English balloon Lotus III. TO-
25O cubic feet: Griffith Brewer pilot;
Lieut.. Claude Brabazon aide.
4:2 p. m.-American balloon America,
1900 cubic feet: J. G.. Mccoy, pilot; Capt.
G. De Chandler. aide.
40 p. m.-French balloon Anjo, D,7oo