Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-14
First Planned
Present Trip
Weeks Ago.
SEES CHANCE
FOR FRIENDSHIP
Opposes Single Mo-
tor Planes for Long
Hops Over Water.
by COL. CHARLES A. LINDBERGH.

BY COL. CHARLES n. LlNDBEhOh.
Nv desire to visit Mexico dates
back many years, and the present
fight is a natural outgrowth of my
recent tour of the United States. AS
matter of fact, this fight might be
looked upon as an extension OF that
tour 70 one of our nearest neighbors.
When at Kelly Field. the Army train
ing field, which is not far from the
border, | often wished that I might
fly over Mexico merely to see the
country. 1t is an interesting coun-
try and we know too little about it
-at least our communication with
it is not so close as with our neigh
Dor to the north-Canada
The interest which ! felt years
ago in Mexico revived during the
tour, due partly to some interesting
acquaintances | made at Tucson,
Ariz.. and Ell Paso, Tex. There were
number of Mexican officials and
pilots in the. gathering which well
coined us there. and they were 'ex-
trcmely courteous and expressed the
hope that some time ! might be able
TO Ay to Mexico City. The pilots
were particularly cordial in their in
vitation. for. as is well known, there
is strong feeling of camaraderie
among flying men. When more peo-
pie fly this feeling will probably ex-
tend to communities.
Hopes to Promote Amity.
Although my primary interest is
to visit the country as an aviator,
also hope that the fight will show
the way in which aviation brings the
people Of the world together in bet
ter understanding of each other.
There is no doubt that aviation cap
lures the imagination of all peoples
more than anything else at the pres
cnt time. 1t has great potentialities
for good Any flyer winglng his
way into a strange country seems
to bring that country closer to his
own. Fundamental emotions, COM
mon to all people, are stirred and
result in expressions of friendliness.
The flights across the Atlantic un-
doubtedly did much to bring better
understs nding of the people of Amer
lea to those in Europe. Some day
there will be direct communication by
air between Europe and America and
from that closer association may come
distinct improvement in the rela.
tionships between the nations of the
two continents. But planes are not
sufficiently developed for safe transat-
lantic flying at present. In the mean
time. why should not air communities
ton be developed between our neigh
bors over here?
There is close communication with
Canada; we know Canadians well, and
they know us. That Is partly due, of
course, to similarity Of origin, and the
affinity of the same language. But
even more than that Is 1t. due to the
ease of travel which brings this coun-
try into closer social and spiritual re-
lationship with Canada. Aviation will
intensity that relationship and one air
line across the border is already being
arranged.
Minimizes Flight Dangers.
Some OF the friendly visits which
We pay to Canada-aside from the
week end trips, which are, under
stand, quite popular-should be paid
to Mexico And the need for flying
communications between Mexico and
the United States Is much greater than
with Canada because railroad facilities
nave not been developed to the South
rs they have to the North for obvious
reasons AS time goes on, however.
there is certain to be better under
standing and closer communications
between Mexico and the United States,
and aviation should contribute to that
desirable condition. There Is no doubt
that air lines between the United
States and Mexico will be established
eventually. This flight should show
that such line would be practical, as
indeed. all flyers know. 1t Is comara
lively simple fight, and there is moth
ing hazardous In 1t. 1t Is only about
1000 miles by the route / shall take
and it Is all over land. 1t could be
made about 100 miles shorter by flying
few hundred miles over the gulf. but
gle-motored plane over the water on
such trip, and when there Is no
necessity, there is little sense in at
tempting it. Single.motored land
planes are not yet reliableenough for
travel over watef. When safe over.
water travel is begun, it will be in
flying boats. unless motors can be de.
veloped 10 the point where complete
reliance may be placed in them. And
that does not seem possible for some
time.
Most Of Route Level.
A great deal of the flight is over
comparatively level country. There is
short stretch over the mountains
soon after leaving and another short
period over mountains just before
reaching Mexico City. But aside from
that most of the country is fairly level
~. -.