The sun., 1918-12-14
SIGNALS'LIGHT SKY
WELCOMING WILSON
U. s. Battleship Fleet Meets
Presidents Vessel Just
Before Dawn.
FRENCH SQUADRON JOINS
Formation Finally Extends to
the Horizon in Both
Directions.
By tAs Associated Pres.


On BOARD THE U. S. s. GEORGE WASH
INoroN. Dec. l3.--Tho American battle
chip division Joined President Wilson's
chip at o'clock Ibis morning. The
vessels mannuvred with lights and the
sight was inspiring.
Long before daylight the battleship
Pennsylvania, leading the Presidential
convoy picked up by wireless the ves-
sells approaching from the north. The
night was partly cloudy, with the
moon visible now and then.
Suddenly the Pennsylvania received
a series of rapid signals from a de-
stroyer lowering off on the skyline
end began signalling. With the search
lights pointing a long illuminated fig
ure into the sky. she wrote a message
In flashes on the big black clouds. In
few seconds the answer, written on
the sky by a battleship beyond the
horizon, began 20 come back.
Then the toplights of the feet came
over the curve one by one and stood
by the Presidents ship. which pro-
ceeded on her way until daylight, when
all the ships in the convoy spread OUT
and fell into their appointed places on
the right of the line of formation.
At IL o'clock a French feet began to
come up from the south. There were
twelve cruisers steaming in one
column. The French warships fired a
salute slowly as they approached the
George Washington to the leeward.
DirigibIe Flies Old Glory.
\ big hydroairplane then appeared
from the direction of Brest. II circled
and dipped over, the feet as 1t ex-
changed signals with the flagship.
Later a big French dirigible fioated
by flying the American colors.
When the French warships had
taken their places more than forty
vessels were steaming in the line Of
columns, the formation reaching both
ways as far as the eye could see.
President Wilson and his party were
Interested spectators to-day of an ex-
hibition OF anti-aircraft battery work
by Admiral Mayo's flagship the Penn
sylvHnia. Balloons were sent up from
the SUPERINTENDENT and then de-
stroyed by shell fire.
The President last night dined
formally with members OF the peace
mission. ]. ]. Jusserand. the French
Ambassador, and Count Macchi Ill
Cellere, the Italian Ambassador.
BY Wireless 10 the associated Press.
On BOARD THE U. S. S. GEORGE
WASHINGTON Thursday. Dec. IA
President Wilson's last night aboard
ship was a memorable one. 1t was
marked by a demonstration on the part
OF the personnel Of the ship which
greatly touched him.
President and Mrs Wilson had at
tended a moving picture show aboard
the George Washington, and when the
show had ended and they were ready
to depart great chorus OF blue
jackets. unannounced, entered the
saloon and sang two verses OF God
Be With You Till We Meet Again"
The melodious voices of the sailors
rang out over the hush which settled
over all inside the saloon, and Presi-
dent Wilson after the singing ex-
pressed his appreciation of the Gig
nificance of the words OF the old
hymn. especially as coming from men
of all walks OF life, many of them
former prosperous business men who
had sacrificed their interests in serv-
ing their country In time of need