The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-16
 TOWARD RUSSIA IN BENNETT RACE
American Entries Have High Hopes Of Win
 ming Cup

BRUSSELS, June 15.-(By Asso- ciated Press. )-Seventecn bailoonists in high spirits and animated by an earnest desire to win the Gordon Ben nett cup took off today from the Great Solbosch Plain, just outside of Brussels, in almost perfect atmospheric condi- tions for the fourteenth competition for the trophy. The balloonists represented seven nations.
 An nOrmous crowd estimated at close to 100000 persons saw them ascend in beautiful style in strange contrast to last years start, when, with temp est raging, ballons were smashed and death was already lowering above the plain before the aerOnauts departed.
 De Muyter Favorite
 Lieutenant Ernest De Muyter of Belgium, three times winner of the cup, was the favorite. He is piloting the Belgica. The Americans, Capt. D. H. Honeywell, W. c. Van Orman and Major Peck, are regarded as most likely to keep De Muyter from gaining perma- nent possession of the trophy. Captain Honeywell, because of his long ex- perience and his uncomfortable balloon with elaborate equipment, is second choice among those sepculating on the outcome
 Lieut. De Muyter, taking off at f 80 D. m, promptly disappeared toward the French frontier. What seemed to be 25-mile breeze was driving his bal loon along in magnificent style.
 dozen smaased bands played the Belgian National Anthem on the de- parture Of De Muyter, and joined in the strains of The Star Spangle,i Ban rier'' as Van Orman's Goodyear" left her moorings at 5 :15. Van Orman and his assistant, c. K. Wollan, were very confident. The former said before leav- ing: We want first or nothing; we have provisions aboard for p days"
 Van Orman has special radio set aboard the Goodyear and he informed the Associated Press correspondent that between 5 :50 and 5 80 a. m., Green wich time, Monday, the Springfield, Mass, radio station, will try to reach him. He will be listening on wave length of 337 metres.
 Carry ParachHtes
 All the Americans carry parachutes as al safeguard in the event of their balloons being struck by lightning or otherwise destroyed.
 Captain Honeywell's Uncle Sam" made the start at 5 :55. The captain was assisted by the Rev. WoffOr Tim mons of St. Louis. He made a perfect start and as he slowly rose, shouted 4a Araho dnr phsIIsnS aud rna,,,haps of the American embassy close by {: We've got real sky pilot aboard i; we are sure winners"
 A few minutes before the start, the correspondents asked Captain Hony- we'll what club he represented and he replied Il am running this race in be- half of one hundred million Americans and 1 hope to bring the cup back to the United States.
 Immediately after Honeywell's de- parture, the wind shifted to the west, having virtually boxed the compass since noon. The Uncle Sam headed east toward Holland and Germany.
 Head Toward Germany
 Capt. Paul Armbruster's Helvetia | (Switzerland), Van Orman's Good year, Lieutenant Labrousse's Vile De Bruxelles (Belgium) which first started in a southerly direction still were visi- ble at twilight over the horizon. Their course also shifted eastward to Ger many, which now is the probable land | ing place unless the aeronauts con tinue on to Russia.
 Major Peck and Lieutenant Grey were off with the SIP, United States to fine start. The last balloon to get away was the Spanish Hesperio, piloted by Casas. Meantime drizzling rain be- gan to fall, but soon after the last de- parture atmospheric conditions cleared. Airplanes returning from scouting flights reported strong eastward air cur rents at from 1,500 to 5000 feet al- titude, with the wind blowing 40 kilometers.
 The British balloon Banshee III, soon after the start, grazed some trees at Lind.,l,, on the outskirts of Brus- sells, Lut managed to rise after shifting large amount of ballast. Nobody was hurt and the balloon was able to con- 1 tinuo