The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-10-04
National News Association

haA<o110 vi L, OCl 4-AII lS III
readiness for the start of the big in
ternational balloon race tomorrow
The James Gordon Bennett worlds
championship cup will be fought for
by representatives of three nations
the United States, France and Ger
many.
The nine great aerostats are laid
out at the ascension field ready for
initiation. The fact that all are rubber
lied ballons and natural gas will be
used, and the prospects that ideal
weather conditions will prevail make
it more than probable that a new dis
tance record will be created. The win
ner is expected to land in New Eng
land or4astern~9anaCfs. ~ p"
Enthusiastic balloon FANS" flocked
to the grounds by hundreds today to
watch the preparations of the famed
aeronauts. Tomorrow the hundreds
will be thousands, judging from the
high ebb of interest in this city, and
lit is expected that the militia and
United States regulars who have been
detailed to police the grounds will
have their hands full to keep the
crowds in check. The local regiment
of the National Guard and regiment
from St. Joseph are assisted by two
companies of regulars from Fort Lea
venworth and St. Louis Grandstand
arrangements have been made for the
accommodation of 10000 crowd.
An American victory will mean that
the Gordon Bennett cup passes out Of
existence as a trophy for competition.
America has won the last two races
and a>third consecutive triumph will
give it permanent possession.
Lieut.. Frank P. Lahm, U. S. A., win
ner of the first international race, is
head Of the American team. He rep
resents the Aero club of st. Louis.
The other American representatives.
Captain John Berry and William F.
Assman, are also representing st.
Louis, Berry flying the colors of the
Million Population Club and Assman
seconding Lieutenant Lahm in up
holding the honor of the aero club of
the Mound City.
Germans Are Feared.
The greatest competition is expect
ed to come from the German team. In
genieur Hans Gericke, of Berlin, is a
veteran and one of the most skilful
of German aeronuts With his balloon
the Dusseldorf, he finished second in
the international race of 1910. Lieu
tenant Leopold Vogt, of Saarbucken,
will fly his same craft, the Hamburg,
III, in which he took fifth in last years
race. The third member of the Ger
man team, Freiheer Won Pohl, of
Hamburg, is also an experienced pi-
lot.
Probably the most famous of the
French team is Alfred LIE Blanc. who
has competed in many of the more
| important contests in Europe His
teammates are Emile Dubbonet and
Welby Jourdan.
| The Gordon Bennett cup race has
been the classic of ballooning ever
since the CUP was first offered by the
millionaire sportsman. The first race
was won by Lieut.. Lahm, who brought
| to America the honor of holding the
| next competition for it. Herr Oscar
Erbsloeh, of Germany, won the second
race, which started from St. Louis.
The third race, and the 1910 contest
was scheduled for ST Louis Alan r.
Hawley and Augustus Post, of New
York successfully defended it by fly
| ing iii miles into northeast Canada
| Hawley was offered a place on this
years American team, but he was un-
able to accept it because OF the press
of business. Last years race, in addi.
ton to France, Germany and the Unit.
ed States, had Switzerland as a con.
testant.
| America u Used.
| The America II. which was the bal.
loon flown by Hawley and Post in
their victory last year, will be used
| by Lieutenant Lahm in the race that
begins tomorrow It is considered by
experts to be the best balloon ever
knDDGak1ef&fi fnE . lonxrk1ieean a4snt