Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1907-03-10

America Is to witness the ncxi
great international balloon race, and
81. Louis has been designated as the
flight" city by the Aero Club ol
America because of It's central loca
ton. and also because II affords op
portunity for records flights whatever
the direction OF the wind. The rare
privilege Of holding this airship con
test in this country comes as n reward
for the victory won by an American
aeronaut. Lieut.. Frank =. Lahm. In
the international contest last year
year. His triumph Is Of such recent
occurrence as TO be still fresh in mind
and we recall with what pride Ameri
can newspapers heralded the achieve
ment.
Especially did the victory bring sat
isfaction and enthusiasm TO the Aero
Club Of America for II claimed Lieut.
Lahm as an honorary member AMI his
triumph not only brought II prestige
among the ballooning fraternity Of Eu
rope and brought To this side Of the
water the magnificent international
challenge cup offered as n prize by
James Gordon Bennett.
And now the Aero club Is actively
engaged In making arrangements for
the contest this year at St Louis. II
Is determined. and hopeful as well. OF
retaining the cup on this side Of the
Atlantic. Eight nations--France. Ger
many. Great Britain. Belgium, Switz-
erland. Italy. Spain and the United
States--each with three balloons. are
entitled TO compete. and the contest
will be In all respects international
II Is estimated that. the great Euro
pean balloon contests OF 1906 were
each witnessed by 100000 spectators
and II Is hoped that this race OF 1907
will command at least equal interest
II will require all the resources Of the
Aero Club Of America and all the en-
ergies OF It's members TO properly o.
ganize and conduct this contest. This
will. OF necessity. be its chief task for
1907 and to this all else must be sub
ordinated.
II Is hoped that the history OF the
Americas cup will be repeated and
that the international cup has crossed
the ocean never to return. The club
has been assured that three balloons
of 1900 meters. the maximum capac.
ity permitted under the rules. will be
available for Its champions. There
are already many applicants for the
honor OF being chosen rs one Of the
three defenders OF the cup. and II Is
certain that there will be large field
from which TO make the selection.
The greatest interest has been dis.
played throughout the civilized world.
and special facilities will be offered
to all aeronauts visiting st. Louis for
this contest. Through the liberality
Of various citizens and organizations
OF that city the Aero Club OF Amer
lea has been able 10 offer cash prizes
to $4,000. 10 be distributed
among the contestants winning re-
spectively second. third. fourth and
NTH places. This Is In addition TO
the sum OF s2.5eo TO be given by Mr..
10 the winner OF the cup.
The Aero Club OF America also offers
n prize TO die contestant remaining
longest In the air.
As a further stimulus to ballooning
the Aero club has founded and offered
for competition a challenge trophy to
be known as the Lahm cup and TO be
held In turn by each OF It's members
who exceeds the distance-io2 miles
covered by Lieut.. Lahm In winning
the International cup.
The Aero club will endeavor TO In
troduce and popularize In this country
the various contests In connection
with bailooning which have proved 30
attractive In France. These include
The pursuit and capture by several
balloons OF q pilot balloon having a
certain start: also contest BY sew
rral balloons. the winner 10 be the
,ne who lands nearest to a given spot
on map beforehand.
Prizes will also be given TO automo-
siles which shall start In pursuit Of
balloons and reach them within
given interval after their launching.
The Aero Club OF America Is less
han two years old. having been
Iormed In the summer OF 1906 with
he purpose set forth In the constitu-
ion OF promoting and developing the
science OF aerial navigation. Founded
BY men who had almost without ex-
,eption never made an ascension In a
'rce balloon. the club has In one year
n existence earned for itself a posi-
Ion In the world OF sport and n Is to
,e hoped Il has opened up a brilliant
career for Itself In the future.
Although the Aero club IL the first
OF aeronAuts to be formed
y the American continent Il has had