New-York tribune., 1909-10-04
BENNETT CUP FLIGHT
START MADE At ZURICH.
.SeUenteen Balloons Being DrIOen
TOacGrd Russia.

Z,,rs-b oct "A sunny autumn day follow
ing yesterdays discouraging downpour mace
the start in the International balloon race for
she Gordon Bennett Cup success, and more
than two hundred thousand persons watched
the seventeen balloons soar sl1yward and disap-
pear on the horizon IN what is likely to prove a
stirring contest to cover the greatest distance.
The wishes of the aeronauts as expressed by
the American entrant. Edgar w. Mix. of Co
lumbus. Ohio were realized for the southwest
wind which was blowing at the start seemed
certain TO carry them toward Russia instead OF
20 the sea- and may afford test Of the endur-
snee of the balloons and the skill OF the pilots
instead Of as in the past. premature descents TO
avoid falling into the ocean.
Perfect organization enabled the carrying out
OF the programme without a hitch The only
disappointment the receipt of a dispatcn
from Count Zeppelin that he would be unable to
visit the grounds with his airship Zeppelin III
but this was counterbalanced by the ascent OF
the ParsevaI which went through variety OF
svolufions. 10 the delight of the cheering spec
tstons No fewer than twenty-five thousand
persons were in the Enclosure. while at least
one hundred and seventy-flve thousand were
grouped about the natural mountain amphithe-
Gtre TO see the departure of the contestants.
Edgar Mix was the sole representative of the
United States. He elated at the prospects
as ne made n fnal Inspection OF MS poAilONA'
America IL 1T viii be the greatest race on rec
ord he said. "and a real long distance contest
in which the best balloon will win. If the SOUTH
wester holds it will drive over Southern Rus
sia. We are carrying provisions for three days.
but are discarding our mountain garments.
The Italian balloon, piloted by Signor Pia-
cenza, the first 10 start, the others follow
ing az I'VE minute intervals. The band broke
out with the strains Of America" as Mr. MIX
and his companion climbed into the basket.
They were showered with the best wishes of all
the Americans, who Joined in the hearty cheer
as the balloon gracefully mounted up and dis
appeared like the others in the direction of
Vienna The wind was slight in the valley, but
was blowing about twelve miles an hour at a
height of four thousand feet
AS the Swiss balloons ascended the mountain
sides rang with the Swiss national anthem,
which continued until the last balloon had dis
appeared over the mountainous in the glow OF
the setting sun.
Americas chances for victory are placed high,
even by the cAmpetitors Following is 2 list OF
the starters by countries and pilots: America
Edgar W Mix: Austria -Hungary-Dr. Anton
Schsein; BeIgium-Iyeon de Broc1ere and Georges
Geerts; France-Alfred le Blanc. Emile Dubon-
net and Maurice Bienaime: Germany-Captain
von Abercron, DR.. Brockelnann and Paul Hecllel;
England-Frsnk Mclean; Italy-Guido Piacenza
and Captain Frassnetti; Spain-Alberto Oettli;
SNifzerland--N. de Beauclair, Captain Messner
and Colonel Schaeck.
The Spanish balloon Montana piloted by the
Marquis Salvetiera: the Belgian balloon Hen
Italian RuwenZOTi. piloted by Signor kSuelli,
were entered but did not start.