Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-12-26

Trip is Short.
Although the trip was a short one,
it lay through a most interesting sec
ton Of London. From Charing Cross
the route ran along the north side of
Trafalgar Square, with the Nelson
monument towering on the left and
the national gallery on the right, it's
gray walls almost covered by huge
American and British flags. 1t con-
tinued along Pail Mall, turning north
ward at st. James Place and up St.
James street to Piccadilly-the chief
landmarks along this stage being the
solid, weather worn buildings of the
old London clubs now decked with
bunting they keep for special occa-
sions. The procession drove westward
along the north side Of Piccadilly.
passing a tract of clubs and; big hotels
home of the Duke of Devonshire.
Devonshire with the Red Cross flag
over it, and the residence of the Duke
of wellington at the entrance Of Hyde
Park, where the procession turned.
The party drove past Wellington
arch and along the southern side of
the park there thanked ON the right
thence into the broad plaza before
the palace and into the palace fore
court.
Probably the most interesting part
of the spectacle for the president was
the people who crowded everywhere
to greet him. The day was holiday
and the workingmen and women
and to no stratum of British human
ity could the president have made
stronger appeal.
Station Decorated,
While the formal features of the
event were we'll staged and managed,
the human factor presented the most
!. interest. The interior Of the grimy
old station where King George vel
coined Mr.. Wilson was carpeted with
$red and the walls and the roofs were
Mhidden behind masses of flags.
N Club windows were mostly monopol-
Nized by men while the hotels and
Estores along the way were filled with
Egay parties.
That such masses of American flags
&could be produced at such short no
stice was a revelation of Londons re-
hsources and none appreciated them
&more than the American soldiers and
among the spectators.
IA The presidents trip to London was
kcarried out according to schedule
Hills train which left Dover at 1888
70 clock, arrived at Charing Cross sta
@tion on time. A salute of Al guns
WAS fired from the tower of London
in Hyde park.
Before IL o'clock streets in the west
end were filled with holiday throngs
&afoot and in motor cars.
] Across st. James street was a huge
fblue banner with the words: The
citizens of Westminster welcome
president Wilson," in gold letters. =.
Sightseers poured in during the
morning from all points There were
thousands of soldiers and sailors
many hundreds Of school children
46hepherded by nuns and teachers
hundreds of flag venders, burnt cork
ninstrels with banjos, costers on don.
key carts, bishops in black CATERS
Generals in various uniforms and
women and girls in their new Christ
tnas furs. Many brought their lunch
Econ in boxes or baskets.
a From the war Office and other gov.
lernment buildings in Whitehall. Brit.
dsh and American flags were flying
from the same roofs. Photographs
*6f President Wilson were displayed In
windows all along his route to Buck
ngham Palace.
TIE parade moved smoothly accord
he to the program. 1t was witness
a by such an outpouring of people
Ind amid such enthusiasm as Lon
Ion has never known except upor
Inc occasion of carnations and o.
Dueen' Victoria jubilee in 1897
rher was an agreement among Lon
honers that no visiting head OF
Etate had ever been given such AZ
bvation as that accorded the Ameri
ian president.
! PRESIDENTIAL party was in semi-stat,
oaches, each drawn by four darl
orese, with two postillions in scar
et coats, white breeches and blacl
tlk hats and two footmen in Ions
buff overccats sitting behind. The
oaches were escorted by sqpads O.
carlet coated riders.
Enthusiastic scenes marked th'
ARRIVAL OF the president at the Char
ng cross station. The crowds jam
1inE the streets broke into prolonged
heers. At the same time guns be
an to thunder out a salute ant
ozens Of airplanes scared overhead
me bells and chimes all over tn,
ity also pealed welcome.
CONTINUED. on page So