The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-08-25
ENGLAND, FRANCE, AUSTRIA,
COMPETING FOR TITLE OF
MISTRESS OF THE AIR.

MISTRESS OF THE AIR.
Bethany, Aug 25.-Paulham,
French aviator, flying over 10 kilo-
meter course here today, beat the
distance record held previously by
Wright brothers.
Bethany Aviation Field, Rheims,
France, Aug. 25.-Today was usher
ed IN with a heavy downpour of rain
and clustering winds Toward neon
the ran ceased and the wind became
lighter. The feature of the days con-
test was a continuation of trials in
Grand Prix de Champagne which car
ries the sum of $4,000 in prizes to
aeroplanes covering the greatest dis
tance without taking fresh supplies
of oil or fuel.
Rheims. Aug 25.-Everything
stands in readiness on the great field
of Bethany for the greatest seven
days of aerial navigation the world
has ever seen. Yesterday five of the
big nations of earth began the strug
gle for the title of mistress of the
air
Who'll win? England will be
there, of course; and France and
Austria and Italy and the United
States. Two hundred thousands of
francs will be given away in prizes
and one prize alone will amount to
$4,000
The famous Bleriot, who electri-
fed the world by skipping across the
English channel one Sunday morn
ing while most people were asleep,
will help uphold the lily of France,
and unlucky Latham, who three
times tried and failed, will assist him.
Roger Sommer. champion distance
flyer of French aviators, has entered
the contest, and Paulhan and Della
grange will have a hand. Glenn H.
Curtis, of the United States, in his
Herring biplane, will defend the hon
or of the Stars and Stripes, yet some
of the Frenchmen will be mounted
on the machines of the Wright bro
theirs. Three Italian aeroplanes will
+,,;n p.%it
ish
The aeroplane course measures
one kilometer (6A miles, in cir
eumference, and is staked out by red
and white poles 60 feet high on the
field of Betheny, where in 1901 the
czar of Russia watched an army Of
10000 men lose itself in the plains
vastness
The city of Rheims. in the depart
ment of Champagne, can be seen to
the southwark, sticking her cathedral
spires out of the horizon. She has
spent fortunes in preparing for this
history making event, and flags are
flying everywhere. The aerodrome
is but a 10 minute ride from the
city, and is now little town in it
self Automobile garages, cafes, res
taurants, machine shops, reception
halls and so on make quite an i'm
posing cluster.
Sixteen aeroplane and dirigible
garages have been completed, these
being at the side of the grandstan Is.
The turf for a distance of a mile
down the track from the starting
point has been rolled to facilitate
the getting away of the machines,
and a high fence has been built about
the entire field.
The seating arrangements are the
most comfortable imaginable, and
the Hotel Castiglione of Paris has
built dining pavilion to seat 600
guests and from no table will the
view of the track be shut out
President Faillieres, accompanied
by his new minister, Aristide BRAND,
will be present during the week, and
building has been erected especial
ly for the reception to the president
of the republic. Telegraph wires
have been installed and first class
Office established for use of the press
of the world. Gas, electricity and
water have been extended all the way
from Rheims and elaborate salons