The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-26
IrALtAN rR1NcE ~ .AUT0 RACE,
Don SeIpiOne Borghese Preparing for
Journey From PeAIln 20 Paris.
Special correspondents Of THR sun.

ROME, May lit is not by any means
strange that Italy should be represented
in the automobile race from Pekdn 70 Paris,
since Italian cars nave been leading In all
sporting events during the last year, but
1t is rather unusual that an Italian noble
man should leave his native heath n
material comforts to enter a contest Tor
mere sport. The news that Don Scipione
Borghese intended to compete in this race
was received with q great dcal OF surprlse,
as Italians as a rule limit their jOuFneyings
TO a yearly visit 10 Paris or Monte Carlo.
The number OF contestants Is tventy-four'
but it Is doubtful whether all will start
Prince Borgbese lie ~passionately fond
OF motoring. Not satisfied with a super
fetal knowledge OF mechanics, he qualified
himself ae a master chauffeur. 1t was
early in 1899, when motoring was far from
popular, and one might say in its infancy
that he undertook a trip to Hungary, which
wac so successful and full Of adventure
that it encoura ged him to explore unknown
ielis. A year later, together with his wife,
Donna Anna Maria: the French naturalist
Prof. Brocherel. aud the Swiss guide Eur
brigen, he notored from Beirut through
Syria. Mesopotamia. Persia and the Trans
caspian district to Ferghana. where by
roads unknown to European travellers
he reached the Lake OF Jssk Kui. Here
the party explored the valley OF the lien
Scian, visiting the source OF the Janat. His
notes and maps dra WIN on the spot are so
complete and correct that the Italian Geo
graphical Society. to whom he presented
them, considers them priceless as well as
UNIQUE. The party next journeyed 10
Lake Baikal. which they crossed in com
papy with some Russian troops bound 10
China. Passing through Manchuria thew
reached Vladivostok, after having crossed
Asia in a journey OF eleven months. rs II
any wonder that Don Scipione Borghese
considers the race from Pekin TO Paris as a
diversion?
He left Rome last week for Pekin accom-
panied by Donna Anna Maria. his wife, a
s~portkwoman and a clever nhotographer'
BY the middle OF May they will reach Pekln.
and on June 10 the race commences.
Princess Borghese will accompany her hus-
and onlva s far as Pekin, and will not par
tioipate in the races. as she intends tour
ing the United States, devoting two months
10 the Journey from San Francisco to New
York. To cover the is 200 kilometres from
Pekin to Paris Prince Borghese hopes
hat he will need not more than two months
and a half. He calculates on making 200
kilometres a day, although owing 10 the
had roads the average may be much less.
/ an InOUHANu VI vi lIlC f'hNCS'' 49,
merely trails. especially across the desert
OF Cobb. and ii many places the mountain
Gus roads are cut and Quilted by streams
which flow down the mountainside DE.
The worse part OF the road 10 In the be-
ginning from PekiD up TO the pass OF Nam
Kou' This road is paved with huge blocks
of stone. very much like the roads OF ancient
Rome; here and there the cobbles have
been worn in deep ruts. rendering the
passage especially trying to. motor cars.
-u II-As l-t AlNhONNnh NfnT
steep is not impossible. but extra heavy
brakes have to be used. This descent ls
ollowed by the climb TO the Monaghan
plain, LOO metres above sea level, over
looking the desert Of Cobb. The first signs
of the desert are the huge blocks OF stone
carved to represent elephants, placed here
in bygone times as sentinels Of the plain.
Here and there across this long stretch
of sand are little villages, GASES. where the
a stop or their long journey TO
Russia, and which have now been con
verted into petrol deposits; Along this
route one meets patrols OF Chinese guards
in the pay OF Russia whose duty 1t is to
supply water and provisions at low price,
TO caravans. No doubt it will he a COM
fort for the racers TO know that the wants
| of the inner man will he looked after.
From the desert the chosen road leads
TO Lake Baikal, where the ferryboats Gross
from Missilaia TO AnRarn. Here the roads
mend and the wildness and desolation
are lett Denln0. Villages duu UONuS are
! passed, more or less civilized. until Warsaw
is reached. All the cars must follow the
| same road from Pekin TO Warsaw, but from
there they are left the choice OF the route
to Paris.
Prince Borgheae has taken a 10 horse
power Itala car for his contest. built ex-
rressly for the trip with all the latest
imr for overcoming the many
difficulties on the road. In order that
streams may be crossed the car is provided
! with four Dlanks which are adapted for.
different uses besides the main one OF
forming q bridge over which the car can
rass. When in place they serve the rur-
| rose Of mud guards; when necessary, by
fitting them into clamps under the car.
they form a bed as we'll as a shelter in case
Of desert storms.
In the ordinary type OF this car a great
deal Of the mechanism is placed under the
body. which would rrove a serious draw
back on rough roads. hence in the present
instance the motor has been placed in a
high I~osition on a level with the seats.
Two ventilators have been added to cor
with the heat OF the desert; a cavas awning
is stretched over the car as a protection
from the sun which Is adanted to form
a tent at night. Prince Borghese will be
ACCOMPANIED by his chauffeur, Ettore
Guizzardi, and a friend. They will carry
canned meat. biscuit, dried fruit, tea, &c.
also a portable stove, medicine chest and
firearms. An the nights are cold and the
laws warm, they will carry sleeping bags
to obviate any risks Of fever.