Evening star., 1915-11-27

NEW 1ORk. november 21.-Men who
govern and guard the nation are here
in thousands to see the annual foot
ball game played by West Point and
Annapolis. Streets and hotels are gay
with the gold and gray of the army
and the blue and gold of the navy.
Admirals and generals. cabinet men,
bers. senators and representatives are
much in evidence policemen. 1t
is estimated that $4,000 persons came
from outside the city to see the con-
test.
The great double-decked stands at
the Brush stadium. where the major
league base ball clubs play base ball
all summer. began to gather bril-
liant throng long before o'clock. the
time set for the beginning of the game.
Early comers waited eXpectantly for
the arrival of President Wilson and
his fiancee. Mrs. Norman Gait. who
left Washington this morning. con-
siderable portion of the Presidents
cabinet, including Secretary Daniels OF
the Navy and Secretary Garrison of
the War Department, arrived here last
night or this morning.
Weather Conditions Unfavorable.
Atmospheric conditions for the game
We're the most unfavorable the two
service teams have experienced in their
annual meeting in years. A thick fog
hung over Manhattan Island all fore
noon and matters were made worse
when rain began falling at IL O'Clock.
The dampness was not expected to help
the teamwork of either eleven. The
Srldiron at the Polo Grounds. although
protected by layer Of straw until al
most game tune, was expected to De
heavy and slippery, especially over the
diamond, where sod was not laid until
after the close OF the base ball season.
Because of the heavier weight of the
Army team the uncertain footing was
expected to give the Soldiers an ad-
vantage over the Sailors.
Neither the foot ball players nor the
thousands of persons who planned to
see the gridiron battle allowed the dis
agreeable weather conditions to inter
fere with their rrangements for the
game. The players OF both teams We're
astir early, and. as is their custom, they
broke into small groups after break
fast for a good limbering-up walk in
the uptown streets. Later they were
given a final lookover by their coaches.
who, by the way, were all famous Lar
ward foot ball stars.
Signal Practice in Hotels.
Light signal practice in the bathrooms
of their hotels completed their prepa-
ration for the supreme effort of the
foot ball season.
The battalions of West Point cadets
and Annapolis midshipmen arrived On
special trains from their academies IN
good time for the game, both being ac-
by brass bands.
The cadets viii return to W est Point
tonight but the mldshipmen Will be
given their liberty until Sunday. The
night Off in New York has made
great hit with the sailormen and there
Is some talk among them of requesting
fpa h.. q
every year instead of alternating be-
tween New York and Philadelphia.
There were many reunions among the
retired army ana navy officers who al
ways make it a point TO take in the
yearly service game. The headquarters
of the two eleVens We're thronged with
prominent officers from both arms of
the country's fighting forces.
There was Olga appointment expressed
at the weather conditions, but all were
ready to brave the elements.
Wagering continued up to the time
the crowds began 10 leave the hotels
for the field and the Army continued
to hold is place favorite. the ODDS
being 10 to =. on the Black, Gold and
Gray to down the Blue and Gold of the
Sailors.
Few Umbrellas Despite Rain.
Tarpaulins were the order of the day
when the advance guard of spectators
at the Army-Navy foot ball game
moved on the Polo Grounds.
A steady driZzle had been falling for
more than two hours when the first of
the crowd entered the stands. large
percentage of women were among the
first arrivals, but comparatively few
umbrellas were in sight, the spectators
having decided to make the
best of the unfavorabl weather.
AT l:25 the battalion of cadets from
lAl hN, ha RIM
marched on the field, and the crowd
in the Army stands was on ITS rect
and cheered.
The cadets marched on the gridiron
and drilled for some time. The long
gray cloaks, natty gray caps and the
Fellow, black and gray pennants which
cadets carried made a great scene Of
.olor across the rain-soaked field.
At the end of the field maneuvers
he cadets marched into the stands
md the Army team ran onto the field.
rhe cadets rose and cheered, their yell
ow pennants turning the cheering Sec
ion into huge chrysanthemum.
Crowd Greets President.
President Wilson and his party ar
lived at the Pennsylvania station at
I'm. Automobiles were in waiting. and
he President and his guests were driv-
n direct to the Polo Grounds in upper
Jew York.
Quite a crowd was gathered at the
tation, despite the stormy weather, to
rect the chief executive.
The President busted himself in car
ng for the women in his party. per-
onally attending them to the several
veil protected from the rain during
he long drive. A special police squad
{ twenty mounted men was as hand