ABYSSINIAN AIR CHIEF

Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1930, Page 2

ABYSSINIAN AIR CHIEF

PROPOSED PARIS-NEW YORK FLIGHT.

After leaving America in a cargo vessel as plain Murbert Julian less than two years ago, a negro has returned to New York aboard the liner lie le Franco as Colonel Herbert Elantleroy Julian, Chief of Aviation of the Abyssinian Army. Colonel Julian intends, according to the “New York Herald,” after a visit to his former home in Harlem, the black district of the city, to prepare for a non-stop flight from Paris to New York next winter.

“Abyssinia is very much advanced in aviation, ! must indeed state,” was the colonel’s first remark when interviewed He was wearing a pith helmet, a monocle, a pink polo shirt, white breeches with green stripes and spurred riding boots, size 12$, especially made for him in Paris, of deerskin. He is Git 2in. in height. “This fight,” he said, “will he made about the first of the year aifter the Coronation ceremony, which will be in November.” Colonel Julian said he had been in: Abyssinia about three and a half months, hut was most modest about his rapid promotion. The Ilns had heard about the flight he almost made to Abyssinia in 1524, nnd a cousin of Rns Taffari, the Emperor, who was in New YYork, forwarded nn invitation to him to come to Abyss min. “Brother,” said Colonel Julian earnestly, “once I got there it was just willpower npd personality—that’s tho Alpha and the axis.” jft; was op July 4, 1924, that Julian thep a mere lieutenant, set opt in his aeroplane from 125th Street, and the Harlem Rver, with the announced intention of flying to Liberia. The flight ended on the mud flats of Flushing Bay a 'few minutes later. However, some rumour of the attempt reached Ras Taffari, who got the notion that Julian was attempting to reach Abyssinia. “His Majesty,” said the colonel, “had heard of me for years, and last July 4 he made me a colonel in commemoration of my flight six years before. On July 4 I had flown for the Emperor, and his Majesty gave me the highest reward and £2OOO. “I am specially commissioned by his Majesty to buy ail aeroplane >for my trans-Atlantic flight, and hs Majesty, of course, is standing all the expenses.”