PARIS, May 23, 1927 (UP) -- Capt. Charles Lindbergh, as modest as a cadet flyer before his solo flight, began today the task of buying a coat upon which to wear the cross of the Legion of Honor. He arrived in Paris with none other than his flying attire.
Meanwhile, all Europe talked of the slim young fellow who equipped himself with letters of introduction and flew from New York to Paris in a non-stop flight. Invitations to visit European capitals, respectful urgings to occupy this or that royal suite on famous transatlantic liners, and the hopeful suggestion of French tailors that the captain could take his pick of their stocks, finally began to convince him that the letters had not been necessary.
Ambassador Herrick became Lindbergh's social secretary today, advising him which of the multitude of invitations to accept. Lindbergh met Sir Alan Cobham, Britain's premier airman, and other British and French flyers at the embassy at 3 p.m. Thence he went to the Aero Club of France for an official reception at 5 p.m.
Tomorrow, Lindbergh will go to Le Bourquet Field at the invitation of Maj. Weiss of the French flyers in the building where Capt. Nungesser had his last dinner on land. President Doumergue will be the principal guest at the flyers' luncheon.
Lindbergh visited his New York-to-Paris plane today, arrived later at the Elysee Palace where he became a knight of the Legion of Honor and told the United Press that his plane looked good.
"I think I could fly back again," he said.
But Lindbergh will not fly back to America. He will return on a steamer, just what steamer has not been decided.
The people of Cherbourg have invited the flyer to honor them by sailing for home from their port.
At Le Bourget and at the Elysee Palace after President Doumergue kissed him and gave him the cross, Lindbergh was under the lenses of batteries of cameras. Wherever Lindbergh was recognized he was cheered. Men who knew the France of the war said the popular acclaim for Lindbergh was comparable to some of the great demonstrations of wartime. French and American and other reporters constantly were after the flyer.
Lindbergh's tall, somewhat lanky figure has been so minutely described in the French press that all who saw him today knew who he was. Of course Ambassador Herrick is well known, and had there been any doubt as to the identity of his companion on the auto ride to the Elysee Palace, the ambassador's smile would have made identification certain.
"This makes me young again," the ambassador exclaimed.
A French reporter inquired whether Lindbergh had learned any French during the day and a half he has been here.
"Not yet," replied the flyer, "but I will have to learn some soon."
Lindbergh arose early and motored to Le Bourquet accompanied by the military and naval attaches of the American Embassy and escorted by officials of the surete generale. Arriving at the airdrome at 11 a.m., Lindbergh hurried toward the hangar where his Ryan monoplane, Spirit of St. Louis, had been sheltered after the dramatic landing at 4.31 p.m, Eastern standard time, Saturday, 33 hours and 30 minutes out of New York.
The American's long strides outdistanced the photographers who shot him as he hurried on toward his plane. After a quick inspection, Lindbergh was satisfied that his plane was in good shape despite the exuberant man-handling of the welcoming crowd Saturday.
"I found the plane in better shape than I had expected," Lindbergh told the United Press. "I was afraid the crowd would tear it to pieces."
"Did you see the crowd? It was terrible wasn't it? They took some souvenirs, but I shall have the ship fixed here and the work will start today and I hope to be able to fly around Paris a bit.
"I don't know whether I shall take the plane to America. That will be decided in a few days. I peeped at the motor and it looked perfectly good to me. I don't think it was a bit damaged by the flight, and I think I could fly back again."
Within a day, Lindbergh has become the most popular hero in Paris. From early morning until late at night crowds have surrounded the American embassy, where Lindbergh is the guest of Ambassador Herrick.
Most of the watchers were schoolgirls and debutantes who made scrap book collections of newspapers accounts of Lindbergh's arrival and then brought the books to the embassy hoping that they could get the flyer's autograph.
Lindbergh likes Paris and has developed a weakness for French pastry. Incomprehensible as it may be to the French, Lindbergh has refused champagne and even cigarettes, explaining that he never smokes.
During the dinner at the American embassy, to which Ambassador Herrick invited his personal staff and their wives, Lindbergh undecidedly examined a tray of French pastry. Then he chose one of the most elaborate confections.
That one tasted good to Lindbergh. After a moment's hesitation, the young man who brought letters of introduction with him so he wouldn't be lonely, inquired of Ambassador Herrick:
"Do you suppose I could have another?
The ambassador piled Lindbergh's plate with pastry.
The Leviathan of the United States lines probably will bring Lindbergh home. The big ship is due to sail from Cherbourg May 31, and although Lindbergh has not yet decided on the length of his stay, he probably will be aboard.
