Interesting Information as to Personnel, Machines and Itinerary Poking, Apr. 1.
The official start of the American round-the-world flight is due to be made from Seattle to-day, and the four aeroplanes engaged in it are expected to reach the China const toward the end of next month. Their first_stop in China is to be made at Shanghai, and after resting there and overhauling} Geir machines, they will fly south to Amoy on their way to Calcutta, Some interesting details of—the flight were obtained this morning from Lieut. M. 8. Lawton, who has come from Manila to supervise} arrangements over that section of the route lying between Shanghai and Calcutta. Lieut, Lawton ar: rived hero yesterday, and will return to Shanghai to-morrow.
The American expedition is, not] a military one, although the pilots and mechanics have been furnished by the Army. Its objects are purely scientific, the intention being to] explore the possibilities of air transit between Europe, Asia and America, and to study flying conditions over the route covered. The party consists of four pilots] and four mechanics, under 3 command of Major Frederick Martin, the three other pilots being Lieute, Lowell H. Smith, Eric H. Nelson and Leigh Wade, They are to make their journey in four Douglas aeroplanes, machines of a commercial type with a wing. span of 0 fect, n useful load of 4,500 Ib, and a'fying radius 3/000 mulles. From Seattle to Cal-and even now machines are being distributed along the route in cass they are needed.
Te has, naturally, boon. me possible to make any close estimats of the time the flight, will occupy 5 it will probably require the entire summer. In the course of it, the airmen Will pass through three' continents and 93 countries. Every possible provision has been made against mishap, and the organize ers are confident that it, will. be carried out succossfully.—Routor's Pacific Service.
New York, Apr. 6.
A telegram from Seattle states that the aeroplanes engaged tha world flight have loft for Prince Rupert:—Router's Amer!- can Service,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.