El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-10-05
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Kansas City, No. Oct 5.-Au was in
readiness for the start Of the big inter
national balloon race this morning. The
James Gordon Bennett worlds cham
pionship cup viii be fought for by rep
resentatives of three nations-the Unit
ed States France and Germany.
The nine great aerostits were laid out
at the ascension field ready for infla-
ton. The fact that all are rubberiz ed
balloons and natural gas was used,
and the prospects that ideal weather
conditions viii prevail. make It more
than probable that a new distance rec
ord will be created The winner is ex-
pected TO land in New England or east
ern Canada
Balloon Fans Enthuse.
Enthusiastic balloon fans" flocked
to the grounds by hundreds yesterday to
watch the preparations Of the famed
aeronauts. Today the hundreds were
thousands and the militia and United
states regulars detailed to police the
grounds had their hands full TO keep
the crowds In check The local regl-
ment Of the national guard and a regi-
ment from St Joseph are assisted by
two companies Of regulars from Fort
LeavenwOTth and St Louis. Grandstand
arrangements have been made for the
o..
An American victory win mean that
the Gordon Bennett cup passes out Of
existence as trophy for competition
America has won the last two races and
third consecutive triumph will give
II permanent possession
Lieut. Frank P Lahm, Z. S. Al, win
ner Of the first international race, is
head Of the American team. He repre-
sents the Aero club OF St. Louis The
other American representatives, Capt.
John Berry and William f. Assman, are
also representing St Louis, Berry fly
ing the COlOrs Of the Million Population
club and Assman seconding Lieut. Lahm
in UNFOLDING the honor Of the aero club
of the Mound City.
German Team Strong.
The greatest competition is expected
from the German team. Ingen1eur Hans
Gericke, Of Berlin, is a veteran and one
Of the most skillful of German aero
nRuts. With his balloon, the Dussel-
dOrf he finished second in the inter-
national race of 1910. Lieut.. Leopold
Vogt. of Saarbeucken, will fly his same
craft, the Hamburg III. in which he
took fifth in last years race The
third member Of the German team, Fret
heer Won POhl, Of Hamburg, is also an
experienced pilot
Probably the most famous of the
French team is Alfred lie Blanc, who
has competed in many Of the more i'm
pOrtant contests in Europe. His team
mates are Emile DubOnnet and Welby
JOurdan
The Gordon Bennett cup race has
been the classic Of ballOoning ever since
the cup was first offered by the mill
ionafre sportsman. The first race was
won by Lieut. Lahm, who brought to
America the honor of holding the next
competition for IL. Herr Oscar Erbs-
lOeh. Of Germany, Won the second race.
which started from st. Louis The
third race, from Berlin, resulted in
victory for Edgar A. Nix, an American.
and the 1910 contest was scheduled for
st. Louis. Alan r. Hawley and Au-
gustus Post, Of New York. successfully
defended IL by flying III miles into
northeast Canada. HaWley was offered
g place on this years American team
but he was unable to accept It because
Of the press Of business.
Last years race, in addition TO
France, Germany and the United States.
had Switzerland as contestant
The America H.. which was the bal
loon flown by Hawley and Post in their
victory last year, will be used By Lieut..
Lahm In the race that begins tomorrow.
1t is considered by experts TO be the
best balloon ever constructed for q
long distance event
Unofficial Entrants.
simultaneously with the start Of the
international race, three other balloons
viii ascend, as unofficial entrants with
their pilots striving to break the dis
lance record and win the Lahm cup. do
mated by the young army officer for the
American record holder One of these
flyers is woman, Mrs. Charles A COev.
of Chicago Of the two other balloons.
the Kansas City H., will be pilOted BY
II. E. Honeywell, Of St Louis. The pilot