Paris, May 21 -- The French could not have shown toward Lindbergh's flight a more kindly, more sympathetic, more enthusiastic attitude. All during the day one heard only expressions of the most sincere hope that he would be successful and declarations of the greatest admiration for his brave effort.
Lieberte, the most Nationalist of the French newspapers, said this afternoon: Paris, which carries in its heart morning for Nungasser and Coll, is preparing to receive the brave American aviator. We shall give to him the same welcome America would have given our heroic pilots had they succeeded. Facts will answer the stupid reports that the public opinion of Parts was hatefully unloosed against America when it found all the telegrams announcing Nungasser s success were lies.
Paris, always impressioned by courage. Paris which has not forgotten its emotion of joy when, in 1917, it saw the first American regiments in the streets, will unit this evening in one fervent thought the names of Lindbergh, Nungasser and Coll.
If Lindbergh should disappear to the immensity of the ocean we shall think of his mother and shall join in the same pious thought mother of Lindbergh, mother of Nungasser, mother of Coll.
Le Quotidien hails Lindbergh as more of sporting American than any other of the potential United States candidates.
The newspapers this morning as well as the afternoon displayed news of the flight as the predominating item. It was about 2 o clock when a report that the Empress of Scotland had sighted Lindbergh reached the French capital. Within a few minutes extras were on the streets. Soon afterward came the news that the gallant aviator had been sighted 200 miles off the Irish coast.
These messages were displayed in big type on the front pages of all the afternoon papers with the exception of the Tempe, which, apparently remembering the telegrams relative to Nungasser s flight, published the news of Lindbergh sous toutes with reserve. At 4 o clock the news reached Paris that Lindbergh had been sighted over the South of Ireland.
Early this morning the Government gave orders that everything possible should be done at Le Bourget to facilitate the arrival of Lindbergh. Preparations were made to light the French English air route in the event that the American had not arrived by nightfall. Also orders were given to prepare the airfield at Cherbourg, as well as airlights at the Sain, Ingelevert, Berck, Abbeville and Beauvais, and finally the great light on Mount Valerien, visible for 250 miles.
In view of the handling of the great crowd expected at the Paris airport, an extra regiment was placed at the disposal of the Commandant at Le Bourget. He gave orders that no airplane should be allowed in the air in the vicinity of Le Bourget this evening, keeping that air route perfectly clear for Lindbergh.
So hazardous was considered the flight of Lindbergh that several well known French aces gave interviews this afternoon to the papers, expressing doubts and urging against too great optimism. Lecointe said: It is a magnificent effort and I hop with all my heart that the courageous American will succeed. Crossing the Atlantic is a terrible undertaking as the fate of Coll and Nungasser showed.
Pelletier Doisy, known as the next viest French aviator, expressed great admiration for the American.
The Flying Fool. If he arrives will be nothing short of fantastic, he said. Certainly he had nerve and no one knows what he will do. I certainly hope the brave boy succeeds.
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