The sun., 1919-07-04
PREPARED FOR R-34
TO LAND AT NIGHT
Elaborate Arrangements Are
Completed at Mineola.

Mineola for greeting the British
dirigible R-34 on her arrival, which was
scheduled 10. to-day. the men waiting
believe she will not reach the United
States until late tonight or tomorrow
morning.
The principal reason for this belief Is
an ominous Tow" storm area, centring
over newfoundland. shown on the
meteorological map at Roosevelt Field.
The RIA is heading toward this low"
and to avoid It must go to the north,
passing over Newfoundland and then
coming down the coast. At the north
efn edge of the low" the winds are
blowing westward. so the dirigibie's
progress will be accelerated, although
its course will be heightened. Even
after reaching st Johns, ". F., where
she will probably drop a message, the
dirigible will still have q thodsand
nautical miles to go.
Lieut.. Col Frederick w. Lucas Of the
Royal Air Force said last night: we
have information that the R-34 has more
than passed the half way point II that
In so, predict that she will land here
about o'clock Saturday morning
weather conditions remaining as they
are. Every man of the eight I brought
over with me Is capable of filling the
place Of any member Of the crew that
might be i'll or otherwise incapacitated,
ana II necessary we could almost recrew
the dirigible with the men have.
None of my men, however, will make
me return trip unless one or more Of the
present crew is unable. for some reason,
to return on the 'Blimp'"
The army and navy men at Roosevelt
Field have no fear that the big balloon
will creep up on them unawares.
Wireless Stations Listening.
Late last night the wireless stations at
Roosevelt, Mitchell and Hazeihurst fields.
the three adjoining army landing places,
were still without direct messages from
the R-34, although their wireless opera
tors were listening intently throughout
the long watches. The apparatus at each
station was thoroughly tested during the
cay when the American naval blimp ca
new over from Rockaway and its opera
tor talked both by radio telephone and
by ordinary wireless with the three land
stations. The apparatus was In good
shape.
The great electric searchlIghts which
Will sweep the skies to assist the R-34
in landing. should she reach Long ISL
and at night, were also tested last night.
They illuminated the field and sky with
a brilliance that seemed stronger than
daylight. in contrast with the blackness
Just as the mechanical aids OF the
R-3i were tested. the men who will aid
the giant dirigible wero put through
their PAGES yesterday. The men OF
seven army balloon companies and 200
army and navy mechanics. all of whom
are "out OF luck as Ear as leave 10 con-
cerned until the R-3t heads homeward
again. were drilled in their duties to
make certain they would not let the R.34
go shooting up to heaven or out to sea
with her thirty-one passengers during
the landing. More than a thousand mill
tary policemen will be on duty also.
Can Land Well at Night.
Unlike airplanes. airships can land
easily at night on a properly lighted
feld. and tie air Is usually calmer after
nightfall.
The length OF time which the R-s4
spends in this country will depend large
ly on the weather. Should It be good
nying wtather Boston. Philadelphia,
Washington and Baltimore may get a
glimpse of the big balloon. Invitations
10 visit most OF the big cities have come
pouring in upon Lieut.-Col. Frederick
Lucas, the British Air Force officer In
charge of preparations here. but II Is
doubtful II any OF these will be accented
There Is no hangar in this country big
enough TO mouse the R-Si, so a stay In
this country might mean that she would
be caught and damaged in a storm.
People eager to see the airship began
20 pour into Mineola last night in a
way that recalled the night before the
old Vanderbilt cup races when all roads
we're lined with automobiles The Nina
ola hotels filled up and some of the
more adventurous camped out near the
army landing fields. The Old Country
Road at the north and Stewart avenue.
south OF the field. were crowded. In ad
dition to the civilian spectators the R-s4
will be greeted particularly by the U. s.
Navy and It's officers. The navy greet
ing will start miles out from shore, for
the ca and the ca. the big navy
Blimps, will fly from Rockaway and
Montauk naval stations TO escort the
R-s4 in. In addition twenty seapianes
from the two navy stations will 20
out.
Navy Men 10 he Present.
Among the navy men who will be at
the neld are Rear Admiral James II.
Glennon, commandant OF the Third Ma
val District; Capt. Powers SyminKton,
his chief OF staff Capt. 7. T. Craven,
Director Of Naval Aviation; Commander
l.. II. Maxfeld and Lieut. D. A. Mount.
Lieut.. II. w. Hoyt and Lieut.. Charles
q. Little Of the Naval Aviation Service
are stationed at the field TO supervise
the landing.
a kkA-I.O illogical force. consisting OF