The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-13
PRESIDENT GOES
Continued from Page One.)


artillery in the old worlds tribute to
the American president. Soon after
arrival of the presidential fleet
Stephen Pichon. the French foreign
minister, and Georges Leagues, the
minister of marine, who were at Brest
to meet the president on behalf of the
French government. boarded the
George Washington to extend their
first greeting.
The presidents ship moved into the
harbor thru lines formed by the bat
tleships. She dropped anchor about
mile off shore amid a tumultuous
demonstration
French ministers and American
officials boarded the George Washing
ton at 1880. They were accompanied
by Miss Margaret Wilson. AS soon as
they had gone aboard the George
Washington, preparations began for
the presidents landing. About fifty
American and French warships were
in the roadstead.
The days first ray of sunlight fell
across the George Washington as she
anchored, while the huge reproduction
of the statue of liberty on the shore
was brilliantly illuminated as the sun
broke thru the clouds.
Twenty-siX American destroyers
dashed out of the harbor here this
morning to join the squadron of
dreadnaughts and destroyers from
England in conveying President Will
son into port.
The presidents lucky number ap-
peared to be made doubly lucky by
the fact that this is Friday the thir-
teenth and there was every prospect
that the weather would do its part
in providing the proper setting for the
historic event, in which, for the first
time. the president of the United
States would set foot on foreign soil.
Day broke dark and gloomy over
hi inc
shut out sunshine and sky. but the
downpour of rain, which prevailed
Thursday abated during the night and
the wind subsidized to a gentle breeze
blowing in from the sea. The mists,
which have yelled the harbor for sew
eral days, have blown away and the
splendid panorama of the harbor
stands out clearlX
The outer strait leading from the
harbor to the sea is clearly marked,
| with it's towering black rocks on the
south, where submarines used to lurk
and land batteries, with the light
house to the north. The avenues and
terraces leading from the harbor are
still drenched but an army Of laborers
| has been clearing the mud from the
route which President Wilson will
cover and wind-torn decorations have
| been replaced with new ones.
Within the harbor there is scene
| of animation. With the first break
chant craft broke out their colors and
| dressed ship with long lin-5 of stream
| ers. A group of French cruisers in
t-leir war paint, swung at anchorage.
with score of French destroyers
about them. Near at hand doomed
/ the big liner La France, used as a
hospital ship but about to resume her
| transatlantic service. American de-
| stroyers, naval yachts and small craft
| rlided about the harbor and further
| nf Of RI ha Mt
| ships. transports, 'freighters, and
quaint Breton fishing craft. Two
| american freiShterS were still unload
| ing army supplies here and an Ameri-
can transport was preparing to take
more American troops homeward. 1t
was a scene, stirring with activity and
one which glowed with color as by a
/ touch of sunlight.
Since early morning, a fleet of air
| planes has lowered over the entrance
| to the harbor, keeping an outlook for
! the approaching fleet. On shore there
| was equal animation, as vast throngs
| of Bretons, in their picturesque head
gear, packed the streets and massed
along the quays and terraces over
/ looking the harbor. Early in the day
French and American soldiers lined
the streets and took assigned positions
| along the Cours Dajot, the handsome
promenade leading from the CONNER
cial harbor to the city, over which
| President Wilson will pass.
City Mass OF Bunting.
The whole city is a mass of bunting
| with Place President Wilson hung
with streamers and notices. The en-
| tire presidential route is lined with
| Venetian masts, flags and transparent
| cies. At about O'Clock the French
| cruiser squadron, consisting of the Ad-
miral Aube Condo and Montclam with
a number of destroyeFs, moved out of