ANXIOUS MOMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 19840, 13 April 1928, Page 8

ANXIOUS MOMENTS

NO WORD OF BREMEN Pm®* Asaociation—By Telegraph—Copyright. NEW YORK, April 12. (Received April 13, at noon.) The Bremen was not reported on Thursday -afternoon; She is expected to reach Newfoundland at midnight and Now York at noon on Friday. The wind conditions aro believed to he favorable, but the temperature was freezing in the vicinity of Newfoundland.—Australian Press Association. . BEFORE THE FLIGHT CAREFUL PREPARATIONS. LONDON, April 12. (Received April 13, at noon.) The Bremen’s departure followed after seventeen days of ceaseless watching, careful scanning of tho weather reports, and a minute attention to details such as perhaps was not reached by any previous east-west transatlantic venture. It was characteristic of German thoroughness throughout, suggesting that the adventure had the best possible chance of success. The only criticism was tho absence of wireless and a collapsible boat, but the Germans were banking everything on the machine remaining in the air. The wings were specially stowed with peirol. Tho machine carried fortyfive hours’ supply of petrol, and it was calculated to reach its destination in thirty-six hours. Believing that all the east-west tragedies were duo to snow and ice settling 'on the wings, special arrhngemeiits were made Tor electrically heating the wings.— Australian Press Association. GERMAN PRESS CONDEMNATION MRS KOEHL CONFIDENT. LONDON, April 12. (Received April 13, at 1 p.m.) Aviation experts express a rather gloomy view concerning the Bremen’s chances of success. A majority of the German newspapers mamtain their former attitude, describing the venture as foolhardy, one journal stating: ‘‘Even if it succeeds it is merely a sporting leat of daring. There should be no more of this kind of transatlantic aviation.” The ‘ Tages Zeitung ’ alone extends unreserved praise, and says the aviators’ daring is born of an idealistic spirit in contradistinction to the materialistic conception of the age. Mrs Koehl says: “The courage and enterprise of the flyers are well-known. The flight must be a success. The only thing now is to wait and pray. 1 know my husband will succeed.” Koehl is a Bavarian aged forty. ’When informed that he had been dismissed from his employment because he was undertaking the flight ho said: “What does that matter? 1 will consider my position if I reach the other side. L believe I may manage without my employers. If the outcome is the loss of my iob, it won’t be the chief of my worries.” Karon Huhnfekl is a member of an old Prussian family, and was formerly intimate with the" ex-Crown Prince.— Australian Press Association-United Service.

AIRSHIP SIGHTED 900 MILES OFF IRISH COAST. LONDON, April 12. (Received April 13, at 1.20 p.m.) Although a few hours after the departure of the Bremen somewhat alarming weather reports were received from America, the value of the Germans’ information was confirmed by wireless from the Majestic when she _was 500 miles from England, describing perfectly clear sunshine and the wind negligible. An afternoon report from Baldonnel stated that the Bremen was seen 880 miles due west of Ireland on a dead course for America. The perfect airworthiness of the machine was seen in the fact that, despite five tons of dead weight and a slight head wind, it averaged ninety-five miles an hour for the first ninety minutes. Although the machine occupied most of the long runway of I,Booyds, and bumped slightly following the first takeoff, it rose rapidly, and settled down to a steady speed.—Australian Press Association.