Public Sees Daylight Rehearsal of Air Defence Scheme; "Satisfactory" Despite Mishaps London, Oct. 9. OZENS of silver balloons flashed in the sunlight high over London yesterday, anchored by steel cables to lorries stationed in parks and open spaces. The public saw for the first time a daylight rehearsal of London's protective "balloon barrage" network. Part of the vast curtal of steel cables which would prove effective barrier to raiding aircraft in time of war was thrown The public were able to watch at close quarters every stage of the raising of the barrage.
'The balloons were inflated from gas cylinders, carried on especially con Mexico Overrules structed "lorries. 'They were assembled, and rendered airworthy, within Oil Companies a few minutes, Each balloon' unit is very mobile barrage, capable of Mexico City, Oct. 8. being moved from point to point with The second section of the Supreme great rapidity.
Court, by a 4-0 decision, over-ruled 'Yesterday, all pilots were warned today' an appeal by American and vy the Air Ministry to avoid London, British of "companies against the wing to. the balloons which were being own at various heights. sovernmeat's expropriation of foreign-owned properties.
'The "balloon barrage," ringing the 'The Court contended the appeal metropolis, gave Londoners some sur~ premature until the companies prises, some shocks and not a few have obtained a decision of "admini-Taughs. 'Several of "the balloons' strative appeal" from the Depart-broke away from their moorings and, ment of National Economy. trailing their eabtes, caused much an-'The decision is considered to be a xiety.
One at Belevedere, Kent, uprooted severe setback as it obliges gardens, smashed windows, damaged companies to begin an entirely new Toots ud brought down telegraph Tegal ight to save their property, lines, The cable finally became en-valued at U-S.$400,000.000. The court tangled in a railway line, where it side stepped any direct ruling either cul off the current, stopped trains and jas to the constitutionality of the put the railway signals out of order. expropriation Jaw or the expropria-'Then, like some others, the balloon sailed serenely away and was expect-'As a result, the companies must.
to be somewhere in France by await the Economic Ministry's dect-Jest night. sion, which If unfavourable, will Other trailing cables caused seared Joblige them to seek redress in the bus passengers. to duck their heads Tower courts, This will mean a fag they passed.—Reuter.
"Wighly Satisfactory": Air Ministry Jdelay of months or years—United Press.
London, Oct. 8.
The Alr Ministry announced tonight that today's tests of London's con troversial balloon defence scheme had been "highly satisfactory" despite several mishaps resulting from breaks In the cables anchoring the balloons the ground.
"The balloons were released from stationary bases and portable bases fon trucks and. trailers today. Ale though anchored to the bases, the regular war-time cable was not used. This was believed responsible for the mishaps which marred the tests.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.