AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1927, Page 2

AVIATION.

LINDBERGH HONOURED. A WONDERFUL RECEPTION. (Australian Press Association & Sun.) WASHINGTON, June 11. The most stupendous welcome over accorded an individual American was given Captain Lindbergh on his arrival in the battle-cruiser Memphis. Practically the entire, population of the capital and hundreds of thousands of visitors, many of whom had lined the streets since dawn, broke into a huge roar of greeting and continued cheering in a fine frenzy of excitement from the moment the vessel appeared in sight. The dirigible Las Angeles, with scores of Government and private aeroplanes, escorted the Memphis into the dock. Guns and sirens from launches and other craft and from the shore, saluted the airman as the cruiser proceeded up the Potomac, and a Presidential salute of twenty-one guns was fired at Alexandria, a seaport on the right hank of the Potomac, five miles southward from the capital.

Captain Lindbergh’s mother was the first to hoard the cruiser, where Robert Nungcsser, a brother of the lost French airman, also greeted him. He was given a national welcome on his arrival at Washington, lining escorted through the city at the head of a great parade. President Coolidge bestowed on the airman the Distinguished Flying Cross.

When decorating the airman, President Coolidge referred to him as “our ambassador without portfolio.” and said that “in showering applanshonours upon this genial and modest American youth with the naturalness simplicity and poise of true greatness. France had an opportunity to show clearly her goodwill for America.” President Coolidge paid a high tribute to Captain Lindbergh’s refusal to commercialise his feat.

Captain Lindlrergh had to face a week-end crowded with functions and celebrations, after which he is due in New York on Monday for a mammoth welcome, which, it is expected, "ill exceed even Washington’s great effort. The latest offer made to Captain Lindbergh is a salary of IOO.OOOdoI. yearly as head of the American Society for the Promotion of Aviation, on which no decision has yet lieon announced.

U.S. MARINES ARRIVE,

SHANGHAI, June LI. Twelve hundred United States marines from Phillipines with an aviation unit, tanks and artillery, have arrived to fill the gap caused by the departure of (he Sixth Regiment for Peking.