The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-02-09
Warm Greeting by PreSi-
dent; Medal Will Be
Given by Nation.
RETURN TO U. S. MONDAY
Non Stop Flight From Ha-
Vana to st. Louis Planned
by Aviator.
BY ALFRED r. RECK
United Press STAFF COrreSnondep


HAVANA, Feb. 9.-Cuban hospi-
tally expanded today in an enor-
NOUS greeting to Colonel Charles A..
Lindbergh, the boyish American
flier, who drifted from the sky
Wednesday with message of good
will from the United States.
The nation, eager to do its great
est honor to this flying son of a
sister republic. permitted Lindbergh
to rest last night after his 75O-mile
flight from Haiti, but today de-
manded to show the hospitality that
is dear to all Latin peoples.
The program was busy one.
Beginning at noon today Lind
bergh was to be the center of a
round of joyous welcome from all
Cuba. He was to attend a luncheon
given by army officers at Camp
Columbia, historically famous as the
billet of many American soldiers
during the Spsnish-American war.
At p. m. be was to greet many
of his fellow countrymen at the
home of United States Ambassador
Noble B. Judah Probably $500 will
attend this affair
Hop to st. Louis Monday
Lindbergh will have dinner with
the ambassador and at 9 o'clock
will attend a Havana Yacht Club
dance.
Friday at IL a. m. he will receive
a medal from the Cuban secretary
of state and at a great open-air re-
ception at noon in Central Park he
will be given the keys to the city.
In this meeting the great masses of
Cubans will be permitted to show
Lindbergh their pleasure at his
visit.
At dawn Monday he will start a
nonstop fight to ST. Louis.
Thousands we're on Columbia
field when Lindbergh in his Spirit
OF ST. Louis swung into view. He
SKINNED low over the field, ascend
ed again and went through series
of air maneuverS.
AS he arrived ahead of schedule,
he Unanswered for some minutes
before finally landing.
The flier was taken Immediately
to the magnificent presidential pal
ace, where he was greeted by Presi-
dent Machado.
Welcomed by President
Scuba is with you in your glories
and your sorrows. and though it is
a small nation and large nation
like yours perhaps would never need
our help, you can assure your fell
low citizens that in case the neceS-
Sity arise for it, you will always
find us at your side, as we found
you in defense of our liberty" Presi-
dent Machado told Lindbergh.
IT did not feel the heat during
the day." Indy said, telling of the
flight from Haiti.
1.-THE air was quite comfortable.
Nest of the time I flew at about
1000 feet, but at times got up to
5000. / do not know the exact
average speed, but figure that 1
flew about 800 miles in nine hours
and twenty minutes"
IT left Port-Au-Prince at $50
and flew by compass course.
II brought one sack Of mail from
Santo Domingo and two sacks from
Port-Au-Prince. 1 believe this is
the first mail brought by air from
those cities to Havana.
st hope this will result in encour-
aging air mail between the islands
of the West Indies, for which there
is very great need.
During my stay in Havana my
plans are at the disposal of the
committee, but I intend to leave on
Monday, Feb. IS, at dawn, for a
nonstop flight to st. Louis.
He roughly estimated the distance
between 1900 and 1900 miles.
Correspondents asked Lindbergh
concerning the condition of the
Spirit of st. Louis.
Plane in Good Condition
Both plane and engine are now
In 95 per cent of their original con-
dition," he replied. Thus far the
Spirit of st. Louis has travelled
10000 miles, and has been in the air
465 hours. 1t will be good for at
least 1900 hours.
after returning to st. Louis" he
said, 81 will make a few flights to
Chicago on my old mail route"
Asked whether he would give the
Spirit of st. Louis to the Smith
sonian Institute at Washington, as
reported, he replied:
81 have said that the Spirit of st.
Louis would be placed in the Smith
sonian Institute, but I did not say
when"