New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-19
w. WRIGHT SHOCKED.
Postpones Flights at lie Mans
Many Expressions of Sympathy.

lie Mans. France Sept. 1S.-Wilbur Wright
brother Of Orville Wright. who has been conducting
series of experiments here for several weeks past
with Wright aeropane very much perturbed
when he heard this morning the from Wash
inEton that his brother had suffered accident in
which Lieutenant Thomas z Selfridge lost his life
He at once countermanded the orders given for the
preparations for his flight of to-day, in which he
purposed to try for the MIchen and Aero Club
prizes.
Everything was in readiness, barring a few final
details, at the field of Auvours, where Mr.. Wright
has been flying. A huge crowd had assembled and
the soldiers duty found difficulty in keeping the
people back. In the private Enclosure had gathered
all the Totable aeropanists Of Europe, as well as
number Of foreign military attaches. Among the
latter were Colonel Eagles former British military
attache at Washington, who came away from the
French army manHuVres in Touraine TO witness
Nj. Wrights flights.
Mr.. Wright was in high spirits and was laugh
ing and chatting with friends the starting rail
when he called TO the shed by Hart O. Berg
his European business manager and the news OF
the accident Al Washington in the brief form in
which it received by The Associated Press was
broken 10 him gently possible. The serious
ness Of his brothers injuries minmized.
Wilbur Wright listened TO the recital with tense,
drawn features. 1t apparent that he expected
the announcement of his brothers death. When he
told that Orv'ie's injuries probably
serious faint smile Of relief fitted to the corners
of his mouth. and he said: He was lucky to get
off lightly
Then. turning quickly to Mr.. Berg he said:
Now you understand why 1 always felt that 1
should be in America with Orvile. Two heads are
better than TO examine machine
Mr.. Wright then sat down on a beam OF the
framework used to hold his machine and bowed
his head to hide his emotion When he looked up
again his eyes swimming with tears and his
mouth twitchng convulsively. "I had rather
be killed myself he said, than that we should be
responsible for the death OF Lieutenant Sefrfdge.
feel that guarantee all passengers against &C
cident When have passenger We always
think first of his safety
Paris Sept. 1S-The French press is unanimous
in its expressions of profound and SYM
pathy with Orville Wright in his accident at
Washington. II is pointed out that America is the
first country contribute a lamentable sacrifice
Of life in connection with the struggle solve the
great problem OF aviation, apparently forgetting
the death OF Lillienthal. The view is generally
held that this accident demonstrates that flying
With heavier-than-air machines IS not yet an ac-
complished fact and is still attended with great
peril. Henri Rochefort, In La Patrie' writes:
THE aeroplane is yet toy which functions well
one day, but refuses TO fly the next. Aerial navi-
CATION viii be solved. but it is still In its pre-
lminary stages"
Berlin. Sept Is.-The press OF Berlin To-Day
contains many articles expressing sympathy
with Orvilie Wright in his accident Washing
tor, and Captain Hildebrandt the aviation
expert. has given interview in which he de-
plores the disaster and hopes for the full recov-
cry Of Mr.. Wright for greater achievement. Cap
tain Hildebrandt recalls the death of the
German aeroplanist Otto Lillienthal whose ma
chine turned over in 1886 at height of nifty feet.