Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-26

dom and to thank you all for the well
come you have so generously given
me. l hope each and every one of
you will come through safely to
enjoy the fruits of the victory for
which you so courageously fought
Mrs. Wilson received a round of
cheers when she appeared on the bal
cony. and during the first few
waved at the wounded the small Union
Jack which she carried in her hand.
AS soon as the Presidents speech
was concluded the party re-entered
the palace. where King George re-
ceived a large group of American
newspaper correspondents, including
those who preceded President Wilson
to France on the steamer Orizaba.
The rush of people toward the line
of march from the station to Buck
ingham Palace before the Presidents
arrival was an unusual sight for
London. All side streets were filled
with spectators and hundreds of au
tomobiles were in the crush. filled
with onlookers. The Ambulance
Corps was kept busy attending to
those who had tainted.
After the procession had passed
tens of thousands began to rush to-
ward Buckingham Palace. and the
park about the palace was the scene
of strenuous but good tempered
crush.
Americans Also Welcome.
American residents of London or
ganiZed a real American welcome for
the President. American naval and
military missions, with leading menu
berS of the American colony. com
mandeered a large hotel in Piccadill.y.
Every window and balcony was pro-
al
large hanIfuls of which were thrown
down witk flowers as the carriages
containing the President and Mrs.
Wilson passed. President Wilson and
King George saluted repeatedly in
acknowledgment of the tribute.
Procession Moved Closely.
The procession in which President
Wilson traverse,l the streets of Lon
don to Buckingham Palace today was
a short one. There were intervals
Of one hundred feet between the
units. First came a detachment of
police, and then general and his
staff. with the troops of the House
hold Cavalry four abreast in khaki
and with drawn swords.
Sits on Kings Right.
Next came the kings carriage in
which President Wilson sat at thn
right of King George. The duke %
Connaught sat opposite them. Another
troop of cavalry followed and then
came the carriage with Queen Mar
with Mrs. Wilson on the right AMI
Princess Mary facing them. Then
came third cavalry troop and after
it the three remaining carriages OF
the procession.
The cleaning coats of the outriders
scattered along the procession gave
an effective dash of color. The king
was dressed in the service uniform of
a British field marshal. He remained
covered throughout the journey. per-
mitting President Wilson to accept
the demonstration. Mrs. Wilson car
ried a large bouquet of flowers and
wore black. Queen Mary was dressed
in dark costume with a light-colored
hat.
One of Winters Coolest Days.
Before the Presidents arrival IT
seemed as though London was to hav-
its coolest day of the winter. There
was ice in the streets and a white
frost on the grass. Fortunately. how
ever, there was neither the rain nor
the fog which usually prevail in
December.
Everybody" Was There.
Sightseers poured in during the
morning from all points. There were
thousands of soldiers and sailors.
shepherded by nuns and teachers.
hundreds of flag vendors, burnt cork
minstrels with banjos, costors on dom
key carts. bishops in black gaiters.
generals in various uniforms and
women and girls in their new Christ
mas furs. Many brought their lunch
in boxes or baskets.
Drive to the Palace.
The drive Of the short procession
from the station to the palace was
made through streets lined with the
guards regiments in khaki. Fresh
flags hung overhead and covered the
buildings. while windows, balconies.
sidewalks and open spaces were fill
ed with people, many of whom wore
the American colors.
1t was brief spectacle. First came
the sovereign's escort troops from the
household cavalry, with helmets and
steel cuirasses. Then came the car
riages with King George and Presi
dent Wilson and Queen Mary, Mrs.
Wilson and Princess Mary. These
were followed by three others, which
passed almost unnoticed, as all eyes
were on Mr. and Mrs. Wilson and the
royal family.
Although the trip was short one.
it lay through most interesting sec
tion of London. From Charing Cross
the route ran along the north side OF
Trafalgar Square, with the Nelson
i monument towering on the left and
the National Gallery on the right, its
eray walls almost covered by huge
American and British flags.
Workers Line the Route.
Probably the most interesting part
of the spectacle for the President was
the people who were crowded every
where to greet him. The day being
a holiday, working men and women
had a chance to turn out with their
hman children They made the most
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