The Washington times., 1929-07-02

SPANISH filters
GET HEARTY
WELCOME

LLuUlvIL-
Continued from First Pas0
crowds. Many persons who had
come here to help greet the filters
did not get 3 chaneS to see them
at the dock.
Yield TO Crowds
They gathered in great numbers
before Government House calling
insistsntly for the airmen to show
themselves. an
Finally Franco and his three
companions. now dressed in bright
new spanish uniforms, appeared
upon the balcony ana waved their
hands. The excitable Spanish gave
vent to an ovation seldom eqHalled
in historic old Gibraltar.
Later in the day the airmen were
taken to Lalinia by motor car. The
Journey was q continuous ovation.
The enthusiasm of the people could
hardly have been exceeded IL the
fIiera had succeeded in their round.
grief in its initial stage.
Cant. Eduardo Gallarxa united
with hts companions in praising the
fine treatment by their rescuers.
"The Eagle accorded lis charming
hospitality declared Gallarza. I'VE
played desk tennis after we were
rested and whiled away the spare
hours with cards. One night a
special concert was held in our
honor. We attended In fancy
dress.
just Did Duty
Captain Lawrence, of the Eagle,
a typical bluff British seaman. could
see nothing out of the way in his
rescue Of the Spanish filters. To
him it was all part OF the days
work.
'"We have done our duty; that
Is ALL" was the way Captain Law
renee dismissed the incident.
The Spaniards said they had
sufficient food to last them another
week when they were picked up
last Saturday.
They said they were constantly
cheered up by intercepting radio
messages showing that search for
them was under way. This gave
hope that they might be sighted
and picked up any hour Of the
day or night.
Examination Of the Numancia
showed that both the planes wings
were damaged.
1t was estimated that at least
$4,000 persons greeted the fliers
here.
Plane on Deck
The Inflated round-the.world plane
Numancia. from which the airmen
were picked up. could be seen on
the deck Of the Eagle. surrounded
by guard Of marines and sailors.
Despite their long vigil while toss
ing helpless in their disabled sea
plane, the men maintained hope of
eventual rescue, according to the
following narrative told by Major
Franco shortly after his arrival: ;.
after descending into the sea we
sent out radio messages giving our
position. but apparently these were
not picked up.
Never Lost Hope
Despite our predicament. being
tossed by the seas and carried
adrift before the winds. we never
lost hope. We kept watch reg
ularly.
1.-THE plane behaved magnificiently
in the water. It rode out q gale
which blew with great force IN
June "a.
"At { o'clock in the morning Of
June 90. Captain GaIarza, who was
on watch, sighted the lights Of the
Eagle about 90 miles distant. We
lighted flares and sent them up to
attract the attention of the ship.
We were overjoyed to see the vessel
turn and proceed towards u.s.
Praised BY Watch Officer
Perils and hardship had failed to
efface the cheerful spirits of the
Spaniards. 1t was revealed by Lieu !
tenant Kflroy, of the Eagle. In tell
ing Of the rescue, Lieutenant Kilroy
said:
II was the officer on watch on
the Eagle on. June 20 when I saw
lights at sea about o'clock in
the morning. / Immediately COM
municated this information to my
superior officer. The Eagle then
moved in the direction of the lights
and the Numancia was discovered
bobbing on the surface Of the sea.
"The seaplane was raised to the
deck Of the Eagle about s o'clock.
Major Franco and his companions
were exceedingly cheerful In spite
of what they had passed through"
The Spanish authorities win give
q banquet for the Rirmen and tho
officers of the Eagle at Algeciras
tonight.
Mrs. Franco Happy )
Representatives Of. the, Spanish
government consular officials, Brit
ish garrison officers and delegates
from various aeronautical societies
al well az relatives OF the airmen
were on hand as the Eagle steamed
slowly into the harbOr, accompanied
by an escort composed OF
squadron of Spanish seaplanes.
The wife of Major Franco, only
married member Of the ill.starred
expedition. was foremost among the
welcomers at the Gibraltar docks,
A brother of Pedro Madariaga'
mechanic OF the Numancia, also was
present, as well a. relatives OF
Captain Gallarza, another member
eAR a.