The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-02-09

nv Karl II. Won Wiegand. United
Press Stan Correspondent
rCopyright 1915 by the United Press.l
TCopyrighted in Berlin.]
gERLIN Feb 1.-(Via The Hague
ans London, Feb. 9.)-'I have always
hoped to be the first to pilot an air
shin across the Atlantic. i have believ-
ed that to do this would be the crown
ing effort of my career" declared
! Count Ferdinand Won Zeppelin tonight
when he resumed his discussion OF
possibilities OF the giant aircraft that
bears his name.
"Not to lombard New York and
Washington" asked him. The count
was very grave as he replied. 1t was
plain from his general attitude that
he has been greatly troubled over the
-arges OF ruth1essness In the use OF
sdirigibles In war and the intimations
that they were beyong the pale" Of
ciyilize6 warfare.
Throw bombs on people who have
been So kind to me when ! was among
them% he said. Never. Never. !
want to sail on q, peaceful mission
when 20 Is AmeFiea. My greatest
ambition has not been to create an
engine of destruction. 1t has been to
demonstrate that the Zeppelins were
suited to far greater purposes than to
be used as mere instruments of war
fare"
1t was evident that demolition Of
the skyscrapers of New York and
buildings in Washington were farthest
from the thought OF the man who is
responsible for form OF terror which
has been so aptly described as the
Zeppelin chill. He seemed to be pom
dering matters over in his mind For
few seconds there was silence. Then
speaking with an intensity OF thought
as though he were talking to himself,
the count continued: II must try to
live long enough or fear that 1t
won't be accomplished-at least not
in the future.''
Then you believe that trans-Atlan-
tic aerial travel with a dirigible OF
the type you have constructed is pos
sible?" asked.
Not only possible but practicable.
This war has interfered with my
plans. know that aerial travel will
become the quickest and safest
method. Zeppelins. in their develop
ment have in my opinion great fl-
ture before them. Few people know
the delight and safety of travel there
IN They will become great factors
Tor quick passenger and mail service" !"
How long do you believe that it
would take a Zeppelin to make the
hight from here to New York;" I
asked.
Three Or four days, perhaps more,
perhaps less. 1t would depend on the
wind and the weather. Anyhow it
could hardly be expected that the first
average would be made in the short
est time, any more than the first
steamers established the record
What would be the trend of de-
veicpment in Zeppelins in the future %
Where they are to be utilized for
war craft form Of construction that
VIII permit them to go much higher
than at present. For commercial pur-
poses they must have greater carry
ing capacity and greater speed. Com
pared with the years 1t took to de-
Veiop the railroads, my air craft are
merely beginning their careers. At
prasent they are too much dependent
on wind and weather
win the exception Of the first
hisht that | made cannot conceive
more inspiring moment than when
can pilot one of my cruisers into
NeW York anG then 60 On to Wash
mere was no doubt that the vet
siah s inventor was keen1y alive to the
ue.ects that are still to be overcome
uelore his airships are completely
successful. Plainly he had no doubt