The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1909-07-31
BLERIOT CROSSES
ENGLISH CHANNEL
BOTH THE AVIATOR AND HIS
AIRSRIP ARE IN LONDON.
First Successful Attempt is Made
With MonopIane; Aviator
Given Ovation in Dover
and London.

London.-Louis Bleriot, the French
man who made history by flying cross
the English channel from Les Bara-
ques to Dover, distance Of 81 miles,
in the remarkable time of little less
than half an hour, and his famous
little monoplane, both ached Lon
don, the former to receive the mono
tary fruits of his achievement in the
shape of a check for $4,000. and the
latter to be placed on exhibition to
the financial advantage of both
London hospital and the enterprising
proprietor of the only American de
partment store here.
The aviator is finding hero worship
much more trying to endure than the
strain of navigating the air. Re
markable scenes were again witness
ed at Dover when NJ. Bleriot returned
there to attend a civil reception in his
honor. The Frenchman was mobbed
by the enormous crowds and the po-
lice had to come to his protection,
so eager were the enthusiasts to
greet him at close quarters.
A similar ovation awaited the avia-
tor in London, his compatriots having
gathered at Victoria station in huge
numbers. With the help of the police
he finally succeeded in getting away
and reached his hotel, where he was
presented with the check at a lunch
con party.
Paul Camdon, the French ambassa-
dor at London, was present and warm
ly congratulated his compatriot. The
British army was largely represented,
and besides War Secretary Haldane
there were Colonel Capper, head OF
the aeronautic work of the army
When NJ. Bleriot arrived. Mr.. Hal
dane was the first to felicitate him.
Speaking in French, the secretary OF
war congratulated the aviator on his
magnificent success, which, he said
would give him a place in history as
all by itself to have crossed the Eng
lish channel was an event marking d
new era. You did it with wonderful
ease" added Mr. Haldane, because
you had great courage"
NJ Bleriot managed to get out a
broken accented Thank you,' but
made no further attempt to speak in
English. Speaking his mother tom
que, he attributed his success to an
immense amount of preliminary work
and said he was profoundly touched
by the warmth of his welcome, which
he thought was quite we'll in proper
ton to what he had accomplished
NJ. Bleriot was handed the one
thousand pounds in bank notes in a
splendid silver cup.
1t was announced at the luncheon
that the Aero club of Great Britain
had decided to present M. Bleriot with
a gold medal similar to the one con-
ferred on Wilbur and Orville Wright,
the American aeroplanists, in London
last May.
Bleriot seems to have seized a
large part of the populace of London.
Those unable to see the flyer himself
have been besieging the store where
| the compact little monoplane is in
stalled among other travelling re-
quisites, the machine being SO small
it looks like a large toy rather than
a practical flyer.
Numerous honors and medals are
awaiting NJ Bleriot on :his side of
the channel, the principal prize be-
ing a gold cup offered by Captain
Wyndham for the first flight across
! the English channel.