The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-18
Charles F Niles, DaringLoop the Loop
Aviator, Tells Ills Experiences as
Aviator for Mexico First Chief

kstL dumduins tearing through the
wings. to be alternately cheerec ana
ieered, to witness the plotting and
counter plotting II the Carranzistas
at Gen. Carranza's headquarters this
Las been the lot of Charles +. Niles of
Rochester, who left here eight months
ago to be chief aviator for Glen. Car.
rama in Mexico.
In game of follow the leader many
years ago when Niles was still In
short trousers. some one dubbed him
DO Anything" Niles. Now he is 81 and
the nickname still sticks. lie was tn"
first aviator to loop the loop IN a
monopane in this country and mad
some startling flights at Hampstead
and Coney Island last summer.
Beachey lever tried to loop in a mon
oplane until the day he met his death.
An offer from Gen. CarranZa last
August took Niles To Mexico. where
he attached himself to the headQuar-
;ers of the First Chief, not as an en-
listed officer. but as a civilian under
contract to fly ON scouting and bomb
dropping expeditions at the direction
Of Carranza or his nephew. Gen. Al
aviation corps and the artillery.
Flying upside down and looping the
oop got too tame FOR Niles. So he's
gone to Mexico To be shot at"
That's what they said at the Aero
Club OF America. but Il few days ago
Niles walked back into the Aero Club.
tanned like Mexican. thin from ma
Iaria, but with whole skin and
bundle If experiences that he was free
to unite because he had quit the Car
ranzistas for good
Il Joined Carranza and Villa just
before Carranza entered Mexico city
last August" Niles began in telling
his story at the Aero Club. Il had
only been there a few days when the
entry began and | was ordered TO fly
into Mexico city ahead of the main
army. The city was preparing TO well
come Carranza.
81 landed safely in the old racetrack
amid cries OF viva Americana l
wasn't SO tanned then and they
thought had flown up from Vera
Cruz. We pushed the machine into an
old foundry and the curious crowd
surged into the gates. Then | had my
eyes opened 20 the way they do things
10 Mexico.
I'VE had a few Soldiers 10 guard the
machine and they began to fire d.
rectly into the crowd. That Is the
only way we can stop them they
told me. II was effective, for the
crowd soon broke and ran.
When Carranza entered the city
he began to take the best houses for
the use of his Generals. Here is
where he made his first mistake. The
people began to turn against him from
that time on. In many cases Carranza
could not help himself, for he had
little actual control over his troops
and his Generals.
"Carranza showed his appreciation
Of my flights by presenting me with
q fine house in Mexico city and three
automobiles--two touring cars and a
runabout. ! told them l did not want
the house. hut the FIRST Chief insisted,
80 I thought it was better TO accept.
When ! went Ia take possession !
found a Federal General In the house
with his wife. The General was dying
and was too III 10 be moved. | told
this 10 Alberto Salinas but he said
he would have him put out at once.
Finally | persuaded them TO let me
put the General in a bedroom, and |
stationed a soldier outside 10 prevent
trouble.
81 Immediately started 10 organize
the aviation corps. We We're 10 nave
an aeroplane factory and school IN
Mexico city, and | soon left for New
York to buy materials and motors. |
bought a carload Of material and
landed with II in Vera cruz on the
surboat Bravo two days after the
United States troops had been with
drawn. The city was slick and clean
then, hut a week later the dirt began
to accumulate and smallpox set IN
again.
"I had already heard many stories
OF the impending break between Car
rama and Villa and NOW matters came
10 a head and the breach was openly
announced. continued with Car
rama. This development was no SUR
prise to me. ] believe the story of the
beginning of the break has never been
published. II began with an incident
shortly before | went To Mexico and
II was told 10 me by Alberto salinas.
Carranza's nephew and confidential
aid. who was present
ION this particular night Villa had
planned big banquet IN honor of the
First Chief. Villa had ordered the
Governor of Chihuahua to send his
personal herd OF cattle for the troops.
The Governor had refused and had
told Carranza that he would not stand
for Villa. villa arrested him on the
morning Of the banquet and ordered
him shot.
When Gen. CarranZs got word OF
the trouble he sent "A messenger for
villa. The First CHIEF took the pre-
caution to place IA revolver under some
newspapers on his desk. When Villa
came in Carran2a said he had sent for
the Governor and that the three of
them would patch up the matter about
the cattle,
I'm sorry chief" said Villa but
I've had him shot
III you've had that man shot said
Carranza. you will not get out OF this
room alive
well. perhaps he is not shot yet
.sid villa.
"Carranza sent messenger, VINO
found the condemned Governor of Chi
huahua facing Villas firing squad,
Two minutes later il would have been
100 late. He was brought to head
la.