The Washington times., 1929-08-19
GRAF ARRIVES At TOKYO.
18 HOURS EARLY

OF commercial navigation by air.
Four days were occupied for a trip
that ordinarily takes almost fort.
night and, while miles Of 'uncharted'
air expanses were traversed by the
air monarch. not the slightest mis-.
hap occurred to mar the journey.
Officials OF the Zeppelin company
and aeronautical experts were
unanimous in declaring that the
flight across Asia proves beyond
the shadow OF a doubt the practi.
cability of rigid, llghter.than-air ma.
chimes for long-distance passenger
transportation.
Facing terrific hazards over the
httle.knOwn Siberian waste lands.
magnified by the lack 0f detailed
weather and meteorological reports
over territories where the foot Of
man has never trod, the Graf
Zeppelin literally bIazed q trail
through the wilderness. and came
through her ordeal like q thorough.
bred.
Engines Never Faltered
Never once did the mammoth en-.
gines falter. nor did the ship fail
prey to the vagaries of twisting cur
rents and obstreperous winds. from
the moment she pointed her nose
toward the sky from the hangar at
Friedrichshafen until she appeared
over Tokyo, the Zeppelin followed
her course with the unfailing regu.
larity of a mammoth ocean liner in
8. shipping lane. At times the Graf
reached q speed in excess Of 100
miles an hour, and never did the
pace fall far below q mile q minute.
DR.. Eckener hopes to be on his
way on the long flight across the
Pacific to Los 1geles by Thursday.
In order to achieve this DESIRE he
and his passengers win have to race
through the round Of receptions and
entertainments arranged for them
while in Tokyo with q speed corn.
parable to that Of their great air
ship.
diplomats. dignitaries and notables
of every degree, aeronautical ana
explorational societies, social leaders
and the official representatives 0f
his own vaterland are anxious to
nay personal tribute to the master
mariner of the air, and sufficient
have been arranged Tor
him to keep him on the go for q
month IL he cared to remain.
Crew Needs Rest
DR.. Eckener has made It plain.
however, that he and his crew need
rest far more than entertainment, in
order to fit them for the arduous
journey that lies ahead. AS con.
sequence efforts will be made to
cut the official receptions down to
a minimum.
During their stay in Tokyo, the
of the Graf will have
their headquarters at the imperial
Hotel, the city's most fashionable
hostelry, where the cosmopolitan
Of the capital gathers
each day for tea and aperitifs.
The Zeppelin was first sighted
near Kasumsgaura at 2:55 a. M,
New York time, by scout planes sent
out from the airport to meet her.
Sirens blared. announcing the Zep4,
pelin's approach. and the crowds
ran helter-skelter. not knowing in
which direction to look.
Watchers See Ship
The nose Of the ship plunged
through the clouds. and was visible
to the watchers at the field eight
minutes later, however, and It was
but a matter of moments before her
great bulk was circling over the
field, while the, crowd cheered at
the top Of their lungs.
When the Graf passed over
Kasumigaura, on her way to Tokyo
and Yokohama, she was travelling at
an altitude OF about 800 meters.
The spectators on the flying field
strained their eyes skyward. mean.
while cheering, clapping their hands,
waving hats, handkerchiefs. and
parasols.
"Fine, fine! this is beautiful
sight," exclaimed Minister Of Marine
when the airship was
overhead.
Communications Minister koiZumi
stood silent, as If spellbound, watch
ing the great air liner as she slid
the sky so easily and
gracefully. Then he DOTTED his silk
hat and waved it over his head.
Crowds DlspeFse
AS the ship disappeared in the
sky the crowd slowly dispersed to
the refreshment tents to drink cool
ing lemonades and await the return,
There was little talk except in q
NJ ~