The Washington herald., 1908-08-07

Berlin. Aug 6.-The genuineness Of the
enthusiasm over Count Zeppelin and the
sympathy for him in the loss OF his
aerostat is proved by the extraordinary
and probably unprecedented subscriptions
thar have been made TO aid him.
Lists have been opened by the univer-
sites. corporations, newspapers. banks.
and special committees. ana It was found
this evening that the money already sub
scribed amounts 20 about S400,e00. in ad-
dition 10 the governments grant Of
s1z5.ooo.
It IS understood that Count Zeppelin
intends 10 fly with his No. airship as
soon as it can be reburnished. which
VIII probably be in a fortnight.
Meanwhile. the work on bis No. is
going on
Rudolph Martin. the aeronaut and
author. after visiting the wreck Of the
No. machine near Echterdingen. says
that the cause OF the explosion is stiu
uncertain
Contrary 10 the first supposltion. the
petrol did not explode
Petrol Untouched.
The whole supply remains untouched.
Both cars and both motors were not
harmed and they are as serviceable as
before The accident
Mr. Martin has abandoned the theory
he held yesterday that the explosion was
due 90 a hot motor He now says both
motors were cold They had not been
working for half an hour.
Il Is now supposed that the gas IN the
envelope iguited, owing 10 the cotton en-
velop taking FIRE. from violent friction
with the ground OF trees. when the storm
carried the aerostat from its anchq&age.
Only a few rags OF the envelope re-
main The aluminium outer covering OF
the balloon is being sawed TO pieces pre-
paratory 10 being melted down.
King Calls.
The King Of wurtemberg called on
Count Zeppelin in his hotel here to-day
and conveyed TO the aeronaut the person
Al regret OF Emperor William over the
destruction Of the counts airship- The
Emperor teIegraphed-
7 have heard with the deepest regret
OF the destruction Of your balloon by a
storm. and I wish YOU 70 know Of ny
cordial sympathy IL your misfortune. all
the more since I and al Germany thought
ne had every reason 10 believe We could
congratulate you on the glorious reaIiza-
ton Of your splendid. epoch-making
achievement. Nevertheless. what YOU
have accomplished must be recognized as
comfort 10 you in this catastrophe
Ministers of State sad.
The ministers Of all the Federal States
have teIegraphed condolences TO Coun;
Zeppelin. with an expression Of hope tha;
the disaster viii only spur him 10 further
Efforts toward the attainment Of his am
bition-
Count Zeppelin was not present IN per
son when the airship was destroyed. hav-
ing gone TO Echterdingen TO arrange for
repair men He was Immediately sent
for When he arrived aad saw the hope
less wreck he broke down His head was
bent On his chest. and tears were stream
ing from his eyes as he stood IN an atti-
tude Of despair in front Of the shattered
mammoth Then friends induced him q
enter a motor car and return TO SUIT
gart. whence later he left by train for
Friedrichshafen-
News Of the accident 10 the balloon
was received here just as the count.
daughter. who has aided him in MS work
was entering her fathers cf7ce. a grea'
crowd had gathered 20 await word Of tn,
airship's fight. and d hush fell on tho
assembiage as the countess aIighted from
her carriage
Soon afterwaTd from an open window
Of the Office Of the countess was heard 4
CRY. That viii Kill him This was fol
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