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Show Use of War Balloons. "In South Africa the British army used tweut3 or more balloons to excellent excel-lent advantage," ho said. "In the Santiago campaign during the Spanish-American Spanish-American war the balloon used by the American army was of immense value. ' ' Colonel Templer. before leaving this evening, sent a report to his government govern-ment on tho Baldwin airship. (As to that aeronaut's exploits at Fort Mj'cr, Colonel Templer said: "Mr. Baldwin's dirigible balloon is an excellent craft. We arc building one in England just like it; the same size, but not quite the same shaped gas envelope." Keeping Progress Secret. According to Colonel Templer the British nrnvy has a number of dirigibles and aeroplanes about which nothing is generally known. The aeronautical department de-partment of the English army consists of three balloon troops, having a peace strength 'of 150 men and tho last annual annu-al appropriation for aeronautics was about $200,000. Tho Farman aeroplane was offered to the signal corps today but the offer was refused by General Allen, chief signal officer. "Israel Ludlow called me up this morning." said General Allen, "nnd offered us Farman 's machino; but wo have no funds to buy it. Wo have $-15,000 tied up int tho two aeroplanes aero-planes contracted for with the Wright brothers and S. A. Morring. Besides, the Farman machine would not fulfill the contract requirements which it will be necessary for the contractors to do." |