Viewing page 44 of 404

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

1907. May 31 Friday at Baodeck
Herald New York   10 March 1907

CUP to AMERICA

[[map]]

[[left 2 paragraphs are covered over and the text is only partially visible; they are not transcribed.]]

that six of the sixteen balloons in this year's contest carried regular army officers, either as pilots or as assistants.  The balloon holds an important place in warfare.  Steps which are now being taken to develop ballooning in our own army show that we are beginning to appreciate that we are behind other nations along this line.  Practically all European armies have their balloon corps.  Troops are regularly incorporated for this service, and by constant practice and experimenting they have brought the military balloons to such a point of perfection that its usefulness cannot be doubted.  History has already demonstrated its value in the past.  Thirty-six years ago the besieged city of Paris was able to defy the German besiegers and to maintain constant communication with the troops outside, thanks to balloons.  More than seventy were sent out, carrying dozens of passengers, tons of mail and hundreds of carrier pigeons, which were sent back into the city with valuable messages.
   Let us not fail to appreciate the necessity for preparedness above the earth as well as on the earth, and when our next war comes, let us not be found wanting in this paticular branch of military science.-{Written by Lieutenant Lahm for the Journal of the Military Service Institution)