The Washington herald., 1909-08-29


Rheims. Aug. 2s. - Thanks 70 Glenn
H, Curtiss. )the American aviator, the
next international aviation race win be
held in America. when II VIII be interest
ing to see how many French competitors
will cross the Atlantic. II one OF them
should win. 1t is hoped that he will meet
with a hearter reception than was ac-
corded 10 Curtiss to-day. whose victory
was greeted with a chilly silence.
The competition was between one Amer
lean, one Englishman, using French
machine. and three Frenchmen, with four
Frenchmen in reserve. The Austrian and
italian entries defaulted.
Great credit is due TO Curtlss. who
brought over a single machine. and with
1t accomplished the object Of his visit.
He raced with his head as well as with
the machine.
Set Time for Race.
Finding the weather conditions ap-
parentIy suitable this morning, he. with
out waiting TO see what his opponents
did. got out at once. and. for the first
time putting his engine at full speed. he
first clipped the record and then set the
time for the international cup, which no.
body reached later. 1t was all done in
forty-hve minutes in the most business
like manner. free from all hustle or pa
rade.
The Americans made the most Of Cur
tiss' crowning achievement Tonight
Curtiss is being toasted at 1000 dinners.
and his health Is being drunk in more
wine than has flowed In France for many
a day.
In his Golden Flyer" biplane. built
along practically the same lines as the
Wright machine. Curtiss flew twice
around the 6.21-mile course in 1850 80. an
average speed OF 47.65 miles an hour. BY
rounds his time was 7;57 2-5 and 7:5s Is.
In the midst OF the congratulations
Curtiss told his friends he would win the
Prix de Ia Vitesse and Tour de Pfste
races, which carry with them 5000 and
s, 500 prizes. respectively.
In an interview Curtiss said:
II am delighted, but not surprised. I
knew my little machine had the speed.
and 1 believe that right now It is the
fastest aerOplane in the world. I hone
TO prove It tomorrow.
May Not Remain Abroad.
II am undecided whether TO remain IN
Europe for further contests. The prizes
are rather small over here. and my busi-
ness at home is demanding my attention
think ] viii sell the Golden FLYER while
here. as many iattering offers have been
made. The only man I fear in to-mor-
rows races is Bleriot He's a fine fell
low, and he has a great machine.
The week has certainly proved epochal
in the development OF these man birds
The aeroplane is stiI far from perfection.
but the contests have certainly proven
that its possibilities are almost iaconceiv-
able. believe that the aeroplane will
speedily develop to the point where II
can be used for towing another aero
plane. the latter to be loaded with ex-
plosives. which could be electrically re-
leased by the operator The machine IN
which the operator rode could not be
used for carrying bombs, as l see II as
the release Of the bombs would upset the
balance. The aerOplane viii certainly a.
velop into an engine Of war"
Curtiss' machine behaved so beautif,lI,,
in the big race that 1t almost got monet
onOus TO watch the trim craft reel Off
the miles with undertaking regularly,
But it was not as easy as IL seemed for
Curtiss declared that on the back stretch
Continued or Pare :. CoIr,