New Britain herald., 1929-06-24

desti overs and two squadrons of air planes out. But they did not know how far their orders had been car- ried out and to what stage their search had ogressed.
 They said they were awaiting re- ports themselves from the air and naval bases concerning the search.
 Destroyers Ordered Out
 Madrid. June 24 R-Spanish de- stroyers were ordered today from the Galician coast to proceed in tho direction of the Azores Islands in search Of Major Ramon Franco. Spanish aviator. who was believed to be down between Portugal and the Azores Archipelago on trans- atlantic flight attempt.
 Two squadron of airplanes, from the airdromes at Melilla, Morocco and Alcazares, in Cartagene, were ordered to accompany the destroy CTS and conduct the search for the missing seaplane.
 Not Considered Desperate
 Official announcement of the search orders said the planes plight was not considered desperate, since favorable weather conditions had prevailed between the lberian Pen. insula and the Azores, and the huge Dornier whale seaplane was entire ly seaworthy.
 hA theory that the plane had been fore ed to allght some where on it's route from the Alcazares airdrome, which it left at 4:50 p. m. Friday (10:5( A. M. E. 8. T.) to Horta, which il had planned to reach at a. m Sat, urday morning, and make a briel stop for fuel
 Radio Would Cease
 It was explained that the plane: radio would cease to function once the plane alighted on the water, and for that reason the silence of Majol Franco and his companions. Majol Arturo Gallarza, Captain Ruiz Dc Aida, and the mechanic Madariaga was not considered oninous.
 The semi-official Monday newspa' per 'Noticiero Del Lunes," quoted the premier, General Primo De Rivera, as saying: "The aviators must unhappily be considered a. lost"
 The premier added that a previ ous report of their safety at San Mi guel Island. in the Azores group made public by himself Saturda, afternoon, was "inexact."
 Confirmed National Fears
 The premier's Sunday statement and the subsequent official note con- firmed fears which had been grow. ing for hours. Although lacking de. tails General Primo De Rivera's an nouncement that the Jupiter as the plane is known had arrived at Sa- Miguel Island Saturday was consid- cred authoritative, and caused ire. mendous rejoicing throughout Spain
 The Western Union operator al Horta, Azores. told the Associated Press that the operator at San Mig uel Island, on the east of the Archi. pelago had said the fiers were not there. He had heard, he said, thai they had alighted between Formigas and Santa Mario Islands. at the ex treme southeast of the group, bu that he had no confirmation of this Gunboat on Search The Portuguese gunboat Zairc. left Ponta Delgada, near Horta, al II p. m. Saturday night to searct for the missing seaplane. It wen in the direction of San Miguel is land. A Lisbon message, timed 3:4; a. m. t10:45 ?. m. Sunday E. s. T., said up to this hour" the Zaire' had found no trace of the fliers. | also had failed to receive answer tt its radio calls.
 Failure to receive definite report. from the plane during Sunday gave rise to rumors here that it had con tinued on to New York, or at les s1 as far as Newfoundland or to Hali. fax, Nova Scotia, as it had been sug. gested it might do. Some person: pointed out, however. that the avia' tors probably would not have ven. tured past the Azores without re, plenishing their gasoline tanks. Left Friday
 The four aviators left Alcazare. airdrome, Cartagena. Spain. at 4:5t p. m. 10:50 a. m. E. S. T.) Frida! morning. They had yelled thei plans with considerable mystery. A the last moment they left behind their huge four motored Numancis plane, which they had constructed especially for a round the worl, flight, and took instead larg' Dornier whale seaplane, sometimes called the Jupiter, which they hat brought from Italy.
 The Dornier plane was a fastel machine than the Numancia. ant should have made the Azores in l; to 16 hours. The f1iers passed oveI p. m. E. s. T.) The last wireles! message from the plane came sev eral hours later when it radioed tha it had passed over Cape San Vincent Portugal. and was headed out to sea i Heard Planes Motors The steamship Greldon, 100 mile! southeast of San Miguel Island l Azores. at 3:37 a. m. q. M. T. (1O:3, p. m. Friday) reported hearing thu Jupiter's motors overhead.
 | ;MH Trans Radio Company broadcas messages relayed by the Lisbo1 wireless station from the Portuguese warship Nasco Da Gama whjc1 picked up the following messag' i from the plane: