Evening star., 1909-05-30
AWAITING THE AMERICANS
SWITZERLAND ALL READY FOR
THE ANNUAL INVASION.
Believed That the Coming Season
Will Be a Observation-Disclosures
Novel Attractions Promised.
Special Correspondence OF The Star.


LUCERNE, May ~, 1900.
Switzerland Is again ready for the in
vason of the American tourists. The
first comers are already here. 1t is be-
lieved that the coming season is going TO
be a record one. Arrangements have
been made on larger scale than ever to
provide amusement and distraction for
all. The tourist most appreciated by the
Swiss is always the American, because of
his open and unreserved manner of con-
versation and inquiry. His general be1r-
ing Is free and easy, he mikes we'll and
easily accommodates himself to his novel
surroundings This admirable trait is
recognized by the hotel keeper, who de-
lights in seeing his guests get together,
for this keeps them from restraint.
characteristics of Americans.
The American tourist wants TO find out
about everything he sees and hears, and
his habit of inquiring of all-companion
or stranGer-helps him to rapidly form
acauaintances. This Is good business
from the hotel keepers point of view, and
he Is ever ready to welcome any inno-
vation that will help him in making his
hotel the gathering place for sociable
crowd.
the occasion everywhere for indulging in
| blossom excursions" very much of the
same order our Maying parties. BY
rail, by boat-if near the lake-by motor
car and afoot, merry parties are on the
move to the country to enjoy the bloom
| ing and blOssoming of the fruit trees that
appear as the harbingers of early sum
mer.
The last reminder of winter was the
| fall of snow at the beginning of May.
into
DAYS travel on the Pilatus railway. The
resumption of activity on the following
day revealed scenes of marvellous beauty
Line of Airships.
I.ucerne is to have another distraction
added to it this summer. 1t is to be the
starting point for the Aero line TO Fried
richshafen, which is to be "opened" for
daily aerial passenger traffic. The com
pany will be equipped by Zeppelin air
ships which will carry from fifteen to
twenty persons and therefore will be
monsters of the air Plans for the air
line have been matured. Three balloon
dirigibes have already been finished and
tested The distance that will be COW
cred by the first airsh:p route is thirty
miles, the road is as straight a string,
and It's promoters assert that only a tor
nado will be able to diverSe the airships
from their course. Other airships are III
process of construction, and it is expected
| to start air sailing within month and To
run excursions dairy, as the scenic sight
seeing possibilities of the route will be the
great drawing card.
Switzerland is indeed an ideal region
| for such mode of travel" In connec-
tion with the Gordon Bennett balloon
races at Zurich there will be two addi-
tional international competitions, long
distance race and one to "A fixed point
about fifty miles away, both being opeI
for balloons of all nations Although the
| regulations of the Gordon Bennett races
only permit of each nation sending three
| balloons for the international competition
| several foreign clubs have announced
their intention of bringing more than this
number to Zurich, and these extra bal
| looms as we'll as the smaller ones will By
| these additional events have the oppol-
tunity of taking part in lonsdistancs
| competition The racing events are tixel
to take place from September 80 to DC.
tober 3
| Attractions of Zurich.
Zurich is also a specially attractive
| place for spring touring Besides il
bustling streets and throngs of people
its rich endowments of natural scenery
| 1t is so easily accessible to many of the
| beauty spots of the country. Zurich anc
vicinity is becoming quite building
| center This idea is extending. md a pro
| posal Is being considered to build a mum
| ber of chalets at the foot of the UetiIbers
SO as to accommodate comfort BILE anC
attractive residences to those who wish
| to make more prolonged stay. The site
| is ideal one for the purpose, and II
| will likely prove one of the most fashion
| able villa resorts in Europe.