Such an attitude deserved hearty national appreciation, and the
members of the great German public emptied their pockets to such
a degree that within a few weeks a sum of L300,000 or $1,500,000
was voluntarily subscribed.
All financial embarrassments and distresses were now completely
removed from the Count's mind. He could forge ahead untrammelled
by anxiety and worry. Another Zeppelin was built and it created
a world's record. It remained aloft for 38 hours, during which
time it covered 690 miles, and, although it came to grief upon
alighting, by colliding with a tree, the final incident passed
unnoticed. Germany was in advance of the world. It had an
airship which could go anywhere, irrespective of climatic
conditions, and in true Teuton perspective the craft was viewed
from the military standpoint. Here was a means of obtaining the
mastery of the air: a formidable engine of invasion and aerial
attack had been perfected. Consequently the Grand Idea must be
supported with unbounded enthusiasm. The Count was hailed by his
august master as "The greatest German of the twentieth century,"
and in this appreciation the populace wholeheartedly concurred.
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