Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-04
BALLOONS In WAR
Effect of Artillery Fire on Gas Bag
Subject Of Experiment.
TEST TO BE MADE AT FORT OMAHA
Action Awaits Completion Of New
Balloon Park.
WIDE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION
Mr.. strobel Says Dirigibles Would Be
Useless in Attack.
USE FOR OBSERVATION PURPOSES
Several AerOnauts Discuss COmpnrR-
tive Merits of AerOpIanes and
Balloons as Military
Adjuncts.
Action Awaits Completion Of New
Balloon Park.
WIDE DIFFERENCE OF oP1N1ol
Mr.. strobel Says Dirigibles Would Be
Useless in Attack.
USE FOR OBSERVATION PURPOSES

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2-Just as physi-
clans differ as TO the best remedy for an
incurable disease. go the leading aeronauts
differ as to the measure OF success that has
been attained in aerial flight in its applica-
ton 20 war purposes. At Fort Myer yester-
day while the motor OF Captain Baldwin's
military diriRible was being tested a dis
cusEion among several aeronauts indicated
the difference OF opinion existing on this
point.
Charles j. strobei, like Captain Baldwin,
believes in the future success Of the aero
plane MIR. strobei, who Is one of the larg-
est manufacturers OF balloons and dirigi-
bles, was at Fort Myer yesterday to see
Captain Baldwin in regard TO certain plans
which the two aeronauts are considering
for next year
Balloon Useless in Attack.
"The dirigible balloon, even Of 100000
cubic feet gas capacity" said Mr.. strobel,
will never be OF any use in attacking
enemy. II 1000 pounds OF explosive were
TO be dropped from such an airship the
sudden release of so much weight would
send the balloon aloft into the clouds 30
rapidly that those plotting would be suf-
focated before gas could be allowed to
escape In order to compensate for the great
difference in weight Even though some
arrangement now unknown should be de-
vised by means of which sufficient gas
could be released and sufficient air pumped
into the balloonet to compensate for the
sudden loss Of weight there would stin be
the danger OF losing too much gas result
ing in the airship falling among the
enemy"
Captain Charles s. Wallace OF the chief
signal officers office, differs somewhat
with Mr.. strobel. Like his fellow officers
OF the signal corps. he is not sanguinc
of the success OF the aeroplane. nor does
he believe that the drig1ble balloon is
worthless for use In warfare.
wallace Defends DeriEible.
''whle II is true" said Captain Wallace,
that the drigible in its present state of
development would be of little value In
attacking a fort. it would have great ad-
vantages over the aeroplane for reconnai-
sance, One Of the agreements reached at
The Hague peace confereuc was that no
explosives can be dropped or projected
from an airship The purpose OF a dirigible
such as Count zeppelins is therefore to
gather information concerning the enemy $
position.
"In the car OF a balloon such as this sew
eral men would have an opportunity 70
take Photographic make sketches and take
notes OF the country surrounding the en-
emy's position and of the conditions exist
ing within the enemy's lines. There are
many experiments yet to be made which
will determine better the value OF balloons
in warfare; for instance, shooting at them
with artillery, the extent 70 which wire
less telegraphy can be us ID for commun ca
tion and by shooting from them with rifles
1t is not at all unlikely that experiments
OF this kind will be carried on at the signal
corps station, Fort Omaha, Neb., when the
new balloon park is completed. probably
late in the fan. The signal corps has sew
eral old balloons which could be used ia
advantage for this purpose"
Both Kinds 10 He Tested.
General James Allen chief signal officer
has frequently expressed himself in a simi-
lar vein. I'VE are ready to make such
tests whenever the artillery corps is ready
TO shoot at the balloon" he said.
Captain Baldwin believes that both the
dirgible and the aeroplane will meet with
equal success and be of equal value ir
warfare. The d.rigible having a capacity
OF 10000 cubic feet Of gas and the aero.
plane, which can carry sixty men In ths
air are the future aerial warships as pic
tured by this veteran aeronaut.
II remained, however. for Glen II. Cur.
tlss, the youngest OF all the aeronauts pres
ent. TO suggest a new idea as to the yalu,
OF tho dirigible in warfare. There is n,
question but that q diriEible releasing 90
pounds OF explosives would shoot into Spac,
like an arrow, but why not combine ia
uses for reconnaissance and offensive oper
ations by having the dirfgible tow a balIoo,
carrying the 1000 pounds OF explosives
This balloon. by controlling the valve, eoul,
be dropped into the enemy's midst"