The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-15
FROA OTHER PENS
BALLOONS AND WARFARE.

Interesting experiments are being con-
Quoted by the army officers in charge
of the balloon flights that are being
taken from this city, to ascertain the
freedom with which wireless messages
can pass between a balloon and a
ground station. Thus far it has been
demonstrated that communication can
be maintained in this manner over a
considerable distance. While this is an
important discovery. far more so will
be proof that messages can be sent
from balloon to a ground station.
The war balloon is not likely to be
developed into more than a means of
observing the position of an enemy's
forces, and ascertaining his probable
strategic plan. Heretofore communica-
ton has been effected with headQuar-
ters from such balloon by means of
flag signals and occasionally by sun
flashes. But such signals are subject
to the objection that they may be read
by the enemy. Wireless communica-
ton would in all likelihood remain Sc
cret, although even that must be safe
guarded by the adoption of reliable
tuning" If it is found that the bal
loon can carry a sending apparatus and
maintain uninterrupted communication
with the earth the function Of the OBJ
servation gas bag Is greatly extended.
If such an aeroplane as that of the
Wright brothers. of whose experiments
in North Carolina encouraging reports
continue to come, can be developed to
the point of safe flight over consider
able distances and under complete con-
balloon. Its low soaring flights at high
speed over a field occupied by a hostile
force would probably enable the opera
tor or companion to ascertain much
of great value. Such flight of course
would be subject to the risk of attack
by sharpshooters, but II the present ex-
pectations are realized the speed Of the
practical aeroplane of the future may
be so great that it will be possible for
a daring, skilful operator to send his
hostils forces and return to base before
his presence has been sufficiently adver-
tised along the line to make him a
target.-Washington Star.
AMERICAN HUSBANDS SAFER.
The longer the list of marriages be-
tween American heiresses and foreign
noblemen grows the more certain it
becomes that the average results are
below the American standard The
proportion of divorces and separations
! is higher and the percentage of unmis-
takably happy families is smaller than
in any part OF the social world Of this
country. In fact if the average OF
shipwrecks in marriage were as for
midable in the United States is it is
in the matrimonial ventures which
take American girls to Europe to be
the mistresses of old castles, palaces
and mansions the world would be fill
ed with contempt for American men
and women alike. It would be said
that American civilization was mani
testify failure and foredoomed to de-
cay, unless it could be reformed
radically. -.te
But these obvious facts will not pre-
vent international marriages of the
usual kind. The temptations seem too
strong to be resisted. Every bride who
takes the risk believes that in her case
the dangers which have wrecked SO
many homes will be averted. She
thinks that her venture will be Of the
happy kind seemingly rare. American
men of the rich and favored classes
are partly to blame for all this. II
they were better representatives of the
| manhood of their own country in
many cases. the titled wooers from
abroad would find fewer wives and
fortunes In the United States.-C1eve-
land Leader.