Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-20
'LINDBERGH OFFERS
CHINESE FLOOD AID
Places Plane at Disposal of
Governmental Relieving
Suffering.

NANKING, China, September 40
Sunday P).-Col. Charles A. Lind
bergh has offered to place his big
monoplane and his own services at
the disposal OF the Chinese govern.
ment In the present flood emergency.
The colonel said today he and his
wife desired to visit both Shanrhai
and Peiping, but their itinerary must
wait until authorities decide whether
he and his plane can be Of any as
siStance in the flood situation.
The colonel conferred today with
DR.. j. Heng-Liu, director Of the
health board, regarding possible uses
OF the ship. Chinese officials had
made no reply.
BY the Associated Press.
NANKING, China, September 49,
Pending decision as to their further
itinerary, Col. and Mrs. Charles A
Lindbergh, who arrived here today or
an S00-mile fight from Fukuoka
Japan, rested at the American consul
late and described their journey from
Japan. The colonel took time tc
supervise the mooring of his nIane on
Lotus Lake for the night.
The Lindberghs' plans include a tour
OF China by air, but just when and
how they viii make this tour was I'M
decided pending consultation with
American and Chinese authorities here
Llndbergh said he and Anne desired
to visit several places in China. includ-
ing Shanghai and Peiping, but that
he wanted the advice and assistance OF
the Chinese authorities before arrang-
ing the tour.
The only certainty is that they will
ny back to America, COL Lindbergh
said. He surmised the Siberian route
this late in the season probably would
be impracticable for a pontooned ma
chine.
Finds Flood DiScouraging.
The flyer reported flooded Chinese
areas over which he flew today as ''very
discouraging." Although the route did
not traverse the Northern Kiangsu
Basin, he said he saw much flooded
country along the Yangtze River as he
approached Marking and noticed refu-
gees lying on the tops of dykes.
The plans of the LindberRh Recep-
ton Committee were upset by the flyers
landing. He alighted on Lotus Lake
instead of on wharf on the Yangtze
River prepared for him. The Colonel
feared winds and currents In the river
and believed the lake a better place.
the wharf, however, found their way to
him and brought him into the city with
undiminiShed enthusiasm. He alighted
at 3 pm. e am. Eastern Standard
Time.
Plane OvershoOts Mark.
At the consulate Lindbergh told re-
porters he decided not to risk alighting
on the Yangtze because the wind and
the water currents were in opposite
directions, making conditions treacher-
GUS. Gen. Huang of the Aviation Blu
reau exchanged apologies with the
Colonel and formally welcomed the
Lindberghs at an impromptu reception.
Lotus Lake is a picturesque body of
water situated in the folds Of the near
by hills with curving fourteenth CEN
fury wall shelterfng 1t on three sides.
1t was formerly Markings gayest pleas
ure resort, Astounding in flower boats on
which the young bloods of the capital
Toasted the citys famous Sing Song
Girls.
This gsyety was abolished under the
Nationalist regime, but scores of small
craft remain which were used In the
greeting Of the Lindberghs. The plane
was sighted first over Marking at 2:46
pm: approaching from the northwest,
as 1t had slightly overshot the mark
An escort Of three Chinese planes
quickly ranged alongside and ahead.
These frequently zoomed low over the
river to indicate to the visitor where
he was supposed to land.
Landing Scene Striking.
Thrice, as the Lindbergh plane APP
peared about to come down upon the
Yangtze, President Chang Kai-Shek's
Headquarters Band, which was q part
Of the reception arrangements ON the
wharf, struck up uncertainty, only to
cease as the plane roared OF again.
The river was striking scene during
the Lindbergh'S circling. American,
Japanese, British and French destroyers
lay at anchor near the Chinese cruiser
Yatsen, and brown sailed junks were
in the distance. while four ocean liners
were ranged alongside each other at
Pukow on the opposite river bank.