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the most expert aeronauts in Europe, and who was second in the first cup race last year, finishing a trifle over thirty miles behind Lieut. Frank P. Lahm of this country, will not be allowed to compete. Mr. Vonwiller had notified the Aero Club of America a short time ago that in case his entry was accepted he would bring over a new balloon of about 80,000 cubic feet capacity. Two entries had been sent by the Italian Club, the second naming Major M. Morris and Dr. Helbig as aeronauts of the new balloon Roma. The difficulty in accepting the Italian entries arose over the fact they were not received by the committee in charge of the race here until nearly a month after the official closing of the entries, Feb. 1. Frank S. Lahm, the father of Lieut. Lahm, is now in Paris as the representative of the Aero Club of America in completing preparations for the race, and he has been endeavoring to secure an extension of time from the International Aeronautic Federation so that the Italian entries might officially accepted. His letter received yesterday by President Bishop stated that the subject had been discussed by the Federation Committee, but the decision rendered by the President, Prince Roland Bonaparte, was that the Italian Club had the same opportunities as other clubs to enter at the proper time, and failing to do this, no exception ought to be made. In view of the widespread interest in the race abroad and in this country, it had not been confidently believed that the technicality of the rules would be adhered to so severely. A conference was held yesterday at Mr. Bishop's office with the delegates of the St. Louis Business Men's Association, President James E. Smith and Daniel C. Nugent being among those present, and the detailed plans for the international race next October were thoroughly discussed. Free gas will be furnished by the Aero Club of St. Louis to all contestants. Gen. Allen of the War Department has offered to furnish sufficient soldiers to police the balloon field, and arrangements are being made whereby the foreign balloons may be admitted in bond, free of duty, for the competition. BALLOON STATION FOR ARMY. Will Be in Charge of Lieut. Lahm at Fort Leavenworth. Lieut. Frank P. Lahm, whose victory in the international balloon race last year gave the Aero Club of America the custody of the Gordon Bennett Cup for the present year, will return to America in a short time, it was said at the rooms of the Aero Club last night, to take charge of the Government balloon station now being established at Fort Leavenworth. Lieut. Lahm is an officer in the Seventh Cavalry, U. S. A., and ever since last year's race, which started from Paris Sept. 30, he has been in France on a leave of absence from the Government making a study of French methods in utilizing balloons for military services. For several months he has been stationed at the main French station near Paris, where he has been granted exceptional opportunities to study the subject carefully. The War Department has been devoting a great deal of attention to the subject of military ballooning during the past few months. A large military balloon has been ordered from France, and Leo Stevens has also been building one in this city for the Government. It will be the largest balloon he has ever constructed, and will be of 80,000 cubic feet capacity.