The San Francisco call., 1910-09-11
FOREIGN NEWS
By CABLE
Army AIRSHIPS TO
SOAR over DESERT
Regular Service Planned by the
French War Office for Sahara
With Relay Stations
Especial Gable TO The Call


PARIS, Sept. 1o.-Under the latest
decision of the French ministry of war
regular aeroplane service across the
Sahara desert is to be established. 1t
is to be from Colomb Bechard, the
southern station of Algeria, to Tinibuc-
too.
The French national aerial league
has been considering the idea with the
ministry for more than a year. Now
the plan is definitely decided. After
the autumn maneuvers four new posts
will be created with IL aeroplanes each
and II instructors. 1t is purposed to
build relay stations for repairs and
supplies.
TRIP NOW TAKES MONTHS
AT the desert posts work is expected
to be satisfactorily carried out during
the winter, as the weather there will
then be more favorable for flights than
in France.
The distance from Colomb Bechard
to Timbuctoo is about 1000 miles. At
present the journey requires four
months. 1t is expected that with
proper relays the trip will be made by
aeroplanes in a few days easily.
Within three months the French
army will possess the largest aerial
fleet in the world. 1t has 45 machines
at its disposal already and the war de-
partment has just ordered 10 Bleriots
and 20 Farmans. Seven of the latter
are to carry two passengers in addi-
tion to the pilot.
The ministry of war has offered a
prize of $4,000 francs to the builder of
the French aeroplane which in the next
II months shall travel 200 miles at 40
miles an hour, carrying a load of 500
pounds.
| MANEUyERS WITH AIRSHIPs
The striking feature of the maneu-
vers on the plains of Picardy next
week will be the participation of IA
aeroplanes and four dirigibles. A reg
ular aviation village has been built
at Grandvilliers. near Beauvais. Vast
hangers have been constructed for the
machines and separate hutS for gaSo-
line, oil and other supplies.
Several automobiles are to be kept
in readiness to follow the dirigibles
with retortS of compressed hydrogen
in case extra gas should be needed.
Besides the regular military attaches
accredited to the foreign embassies
and legations, many army officers from
European countries will witness the
operation of the aerial fleet as part of
the military equipment.
Pilots of the aeroplanes have been
forbidden to simulate collisions in
! their operations against one another
on account of the danger of accidents.
They are to limit themselves to scout
ing, accommodating and message work.
RACERS TO CROSS THE ALPS
Great preparations are being made
for crossing the Alps by aeroplane. The
flight is to be from Brigue to Milan.
1t will start Sunday. September IS. six
days being allowed for its completion.
Many aviators are to make the at
tempt, but only five are to be chosen
by the committee. No others will be
permitted to start. Complete arrange
ments are being made for the convent
ence of the five. Sheds fitted with
electric lights have been erected at the
stopping points and starting places
have been selected, some of which are
1000 feet above sea level.
The course is from Brogue to Dono-
dosola above the railroad and river, and
thence to Milan. A line of bonfire
buoys will mark the route, motor boats
being used across Lake Maggiore. Al
pine soldiers will be stationed at the
Montsera pass to make signals with
oxyhydrogen light. AT the Milan aero
drome captive balloon will mark the
final landing.