The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1911-05-22
LIFE OF MINISTER OF WAR
is TOLL TO AIR CONQUEST
Henri Maurice Berteaux Is Killed by Runa-
way Aeroplane in Paris.
B|ROMAN AND MACHINE CRASH INTO CABINET GROUP
Two Hundred Thousand Spectators Watching Start Of
Race From Capital Of France to Madrid See Horrible
Accident on Aviation Feld-Premier Mons
and Henri Deutsch Are Injured
D|ROMAN AND MACHINE CRASH INTO CABINET GROUP

tratment by field surgeons. II was seen
THAT NJ. Berteaux was fatally hurt and
that NJ. Monis was seriously injured
After the ministers had been cared for
the surgeons dressed the wounds of
those who had received minor bruises.
There are various versions as to the
cause of the accident, but all seem
agreed that II occurred with such
rapidity there was no time for NJ.
BerteauN NJ. Monis and the others to
escape.
NJ. HerSand. nephew of former
Premier npuy, whose newspaper, the
Petit Parisien, arranged the race, said.
Mr.. Berteaux was just asking me
who wonld be the next starter and |
was consulting my program to answer
him when slancing upward i saw the
/ monoplane plungng and careening to-
ward us.
Look out, cried. and the next in
slant the wing of the aeroplane
brushed my side. Looking around I
saw the minister of war lying in a
pool of blood 10 feet away, his arm
severed as though by surgeons $
knife.
The minister's head was horribly
crushed and blood was flowing from
IA cut in his throat. Premier Monis
lay motionless. face downward. ]
thought him dead NJ Deutsch his
face ghastly pale, was trying 10 rise
to his feet"
NJ. Monis. Jr.. said he thought he
saved his fathers life py pushing him
violently to the ground the moment he
saw the machine plunging through the
air. The ministerial party was hidden
from the pilots view By n detachment
OF culrasslers. In avoiding these,
Train crashed down upon the group
like a bolt from the sky.
NJ. Dupuy, Immediately after the dis
aster, gave out word that the races
had been suspended. NJ. Lepine issued
formal order to that effect, say
ing 1t would be impossible to continue.
for a large part of the aviation field
was already covered by vast crowds.
This afternoon the aero club decided
that the six airmen who had not start
cd should have an opportunity to do
so tomorrow morning.
NJ. Berteaux's body was placed In n
closed automobile and escorted from
the field by squadron OF Dragons.
Wife Is Brave.
Paul Doumer. former president of the
chamber Of deputies and an intimate
friend of the family, communicated the
news of NJ. Berteaux's death to his
wife. M, Doumer said Madame Bcr-
tcaux showed admirable courage.
The body of the late minister of war
lies at the ministry, in the same room
from which recently his predecessor,
General Brun, was buried.
Premier Monis. while being taken
from the field in an ambulance. re-
peated over and over agan in lrw
voice; 1T is nothing. It Is nothing"
and when he had gained II clearer con-
sciousness, he said his injuries must
not sinterfere with the race. lie did
not know that NJ. Berteaux was dead.
Doctors set the fractures without the
aid of anaesthetics. Nine. Monls had
planned to give a chlidren's party at
her house today. The rooms We're full
arranging these when the ambulance
arrived.
President Fallieres called on both
Mines. Berteaux and Monis. and the
king and queen of Denmark. who We're
leaving Paris in the forenoon, sent
their minister Of the household to ex-
press their grief. The American am
bassador and the other foreign repre-
sentatives left cards of coincidence and
sympathy.
Successor.
NJ. t'alleres summoned his cabinet
and NJ, Cruppi, minister Of foreign af-
fairs, was designated to fulfill the
duties of minister of war pending fur
ther developments and temporarily to
act as head of the cabinet Reports
were circulated that Premier Monis
m ght resign and the ministry be re-
organized.
President Fallieres decided that It
would be better for the king of Seryia
to postpone his intended visit and sent
a mission to Basle headed by NJ.
Coulard Descos French minister at
Belgrade, =, to inform King Peter.
'The general opinion Is held that the
lesson to be learned from the catas-
trophe is that the rule prohibiting
spectators on the aviation field is one
that should not be violated even by
members of the government.
Minister'S Career.
Henri Maurice Berteaux, born In
1852, was one of the most distinguished
men in France in political life. He
had held the portfolio OF minister of
war once before, but, though he re-
linquished this, he had devoted HIM
------------------------------
CONTINUED on Page Sikh