Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-15
Paris Enthusiastic

Paris, July ~. --(By A. P)-The
United States army fiiers who are
crcling the globe swept over Paris
this afternoon and landed safely at
lie Bourgct Airdrome. nineteen days
behind their oginigal schedule, but
with Il gain of twelve days to their
credit since they left Toxic.
The pilots of the three planes and
their assistants were in fine health
in spite OF weeks of heavy strain. but
they were tired, and almost over
come by the enthusiasm of their re-
ccptior.
six men i'm all, under command of
Lieut.. Lowell ii. Smith. have come
over the long air trail. from the
Pacific coast Of the American con-
tincnt to their present resting place,
q distance of nearly $1,000 miles IN
something less than four months.
They will not remain here long, Dut
viii proceed to London. and from
there. flying by way OF the orkney
Island, Iceland and Greenland, La
brador and Quebec. will go speed
Ing back to the Homeland.
The Stars and Stripes hoated IN
rrofusion beside the Tri-color as
far as the eye could see at lie Bour-
get, ard squadrons OF French air
planes were In readiness througn-
out the day TO ascend and accom-
pany the American aviators as soon
as word came that they were ap-
preaching Paris.
Lieut.. Smith. Lieut.. wade ana
Lieut. Erich Nelson. the pilots, Win
their mechanicians, Lieut.. Leslie
Arnold. Sergeant A. NJ. Ogden ana
Lieut.. John Harding. Jr.. set iorth
fro". Vienna early this morning ior
Paris. upon which shining marx
they had fixed an Nexpectant eye, anu
a mighty shout went up from the
airdrome when with their French
escort In perfect alignment tney
sailed over lie Bourget at 4.4O r. NJ
and continued onward to circle 'hs
Arc de Triomphe and the lohfo VI
the Unknown Soldier.
Then wheeling back from ABOVE
Paris. they planed down TO the ava.
ton field ten minutes later. 90 srea'
we're the crowds that the small Iorcs
of guards was overwheitneu' ",u
soon the field was black with people
"This Is one of the most agreeable
landings vet" remarked Lieutenant
Wade. but his chief. 1ieutenan!
smith. inouired How do we stand
in the oiympics?"
NJ. Laurent Eynac, under secre-
tary of the French air ministry, ex-
tended Frances welcome and con-
graduated the flyers. to all OF when
the Americans listened modestly'
rather shyly, and we're anxious TO DC
away to clean up the marks OF their
air voyage. which soon after tne
start from Vienna was thriihne
enough because of a storm.
Lieutenant Smith, though entire
" recovered from a former mlsnap'
was visibly in need of sleep. ana ne
withdrew into the background ana
insisted that Lieutenant WADE reply
to the official welcome. This he did
briefly but later told OF some or their
experiences,
THE SHOWS OF Alaska, sand
storm in India and a i-shipwreck
of the coast of Japan has thus far
been the hardest spots In our trip
he said.
on the coast OF Russia the Soviete
refused to allow the aviators TO lano'
This was annoying, but not serious
MS the Americans had already de-
seended and were ready TO take on
Just as they received word OF the
russians decision. This experience
according to Lieutenant WADE
showed the value OF forethought IN
having supply boat on the spot.
Fog and rain hindered US lot
when approaching Japan" he con-
tlnued. I'VE k,ere obliged to take
TO American and Japanese destroy
ers leaving our planes to bob on the
seas like corks for twenty-fouT
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