Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-10-25
GERMANY FIRST,
FRANCE SECOND
That Is Expected To Be the
Decision in the Bal
loon Race.
DISTANCES SAILED BY WINNERS
Americans Next Year Will Make
Determined Efforts to Se-
cure the Cup.
Brigadier General Allen Impressed by
the Performances of Some of
the Airships at st. Louis
His Prediction.

Washington, Oct. 25.-The Official
air line measurement of the flight OF
the two prize winning balloons in the
international race from st. Louis, as
compared at the geological survey fol-
lows: St Louis (FOrest Park, to AS
bury Park, S73.4 miles; st. Louis,
CForest Park), to Herbertsville, n. j.,
1914. The Pommern landed at AS
bury Park, the longest distance trav-
eled by the competitors and the r1sle
de France landed at Herbertsvllle
next In distance. 1t is expected that
the Aero Club of America will adopt
these figures and award prizes accord
ingly.
Aeronauts Leaving St. Louis.
st. Louis, Oct 25.-The internation-
nj cup contest and the dirigible bal
loon races ended, the aeronauts and
Aero club officials who have made st.
Louis their headquarters for the last
ten days or longer are leaving for
home. The ballooning grounds in For
est Park are being dismantled, air
ships are being debated and prepared
for shipment. and the tents in which
were stored the giant gas bags are be-
ing leyeled
Officers of the st. Louis Aero club
have received many kilograms of con-
graduation on the success of aeronau-
tic week, and it is said that the inter-
est aroused here in ballooning will re-
suit in other contests soon. A de-
termfned effort will be made next year
by American aeronauts to regain pos
session of the cup won by the Ger
mans. The articles covering the in
ternational race allow only three en-
tries from each country represented in
the aeronautic federation.
Next Race in Germany.
The race next year will be held in
Germany. but this will not deter the
Americans, who undoubtedly will en-
ter the full number of teams. The
three American balloons, the United
States, the America and the ST. Louis,
may be chosen again to try for the
cup. as they represent the latest ideas
in balloon construction. The Ameri
ca, which finished fifth, is the only
bag of American construction, the 9th
er two having been made abroad. Its
performance was watched with keen
interest and was satisfactory in every
way
Ballooning as a sport has received a
great impetus from the races held here,
and it is believed that aeronautic clubs
will be organized in all the larger
cities.
Favors Experiments In Army.
Brigadier General James Allen, chief
officer of the signal corps of the Uni
ted States army, who witnessed all of
the ascents, was impressed by the per
formance of some Of the airships and
declared that he would recommend in
his next report to the secretary of war
that several balloons of the dirigible
type be bought or constructed for gov
ernment experimental work.
There can be no doubt" he de-
clared, that we viii have balloons or
flying machines in the army in q short
time. Although l cannot say that they
will revolutionize warfare, l feel safe
In predicting that they will become a
valuable adjunct and no large fight.
ing force will be complete without its
complement OF airships.''