Evening star., 1918-12-04

j. lie Associated Press.
NEW YORK, December 4.-Wood-
rov; Wilson, President of the United
States, sailed today for Europe to par
ticipate as one of five representatives
OF the United States to the peace con-
ference to be held in France. The
transport George Washington got un-
der way at: 1915 am.
The Presidents party included two
other members of the American dele
gation-Secretary Of State Robert
Lansing and Henry White, former
ambassador to France and Italy. Col.
j.. VI. House and Gen. Tasker H. Bliss,
tie two other members, are already
in Europe.
rs the George Washington swung
out into the North river on a voyage
unprecedented in American history
tle flying bridge, the highest point
TO which passengers could climb. An
Army band on the shore played ''Over
4 here"
Presidential Salute Given.
With the President waving his hat
to cheering throngs aboard river
craft which crow ded nearby waters,
the George Washington turned her
head tow ard the sea shortly after
1890 o'clock. AS the big liner
Strengthened her course the presi-
dental salute of twenty-one guns
Numbered from the transports guns.
which during more than year of
l..< dnf nd dc
of american soldiers from German
:'ullnarine attacks.
The big ship backed more than
i'aif way across the river before she
urned. and. when two destroyers and
:: naval tug took her in escort for
,e trip do" n the bay, the maneuver
Nas witnessed by multitude of
D'rsons crowding roofs and upper
Il indows of New York skyscrapers
md piers on both sides of the H"dson.
:ilead of the George Washington.
stopping all cross-stream traffic and
clearing path toward quarantine,
while the destroyers ranged along
either side.
As the fleet started down the bay a
squadron of afrplanes dropped from
the clouds and executed a series Of
daring loops above the Presidents
ship.
The liner and its convoy steamed
Washington's band playing martial
airs and with harbor craft of all
types, including many allied mer-
chant ships. dipping flags and footing
whistles in salute to the departing
chief executive.
rT Staten Island. whose shores
Nera black with throngs who had
7--,ited since early morning to Wit
;'st precedent breaking spectacle
rs American history. the George
'ashington met its ocean convoy, the
'-tdnausht Pennsylvania and a
'"jutct of destroyers. trina in new
oy"ts of battleship gray.
Sea of Waving Flags.
AS the squadron passed through the
safe in the submarine net which
stretches across the narrows and
within 500. feet of the Staten Island
shore, group of several hundred
school children was transformed at a
word of command into q sea of wav-
ing flags.
The presidential feet passed quar-
antine at IL o'clock. the Pennsylvania
leading and the destroyers deployed
on either side and in the wake of the
transport. Gunboats dn the lower bay
!lrCd salvos in salute.
y the squadron steamed out to sea
:: ,n-le airpiane. travelling only fifty
.1orc the water, could be seen
i;fS the way toward the eastern
zon.
-css the waters of the Hudson
as the George Washington was
1t TO sail there came the roaring
'ars of more than 1000 American
- is1iers returning to American shores
"a the British transport Lapland.
From crowded rigging. from densely
hacked rails and from every port hole
,t, hon trer ErrI, =
greetings to the President: and from
the decks of the presidential liner and
the destroyers guarding her answer
ing cheers came back.
Picturesque Reception.
\ picturesque military reception
was accorded the President. Mrs. Will
son, Secretary Of War Baker. Secre-
1ary Lansing. Secretary Tumulty and
o,hers who were passengers on the
s.,,5cial train which reached Hoboken
:, 1880 am.
train drew up at the entrance to
pier and the North river terminus
he pier an archway of American
) had been erected. AS the Presi-
stepped from the train and shook
IS with Gen. G. II. McManus
lies and drums sounded and an
y band played 1.-THE Star Spangled
amer" Army guards and girls of
Army transport service were
'awn up in military formation.
accompanied by Gen. McManus and
is staff. the presidential party moved
:!owly under the archway Of flags and
ietween solid rows Of soldiers. who
resented arms az the President and
secretary Baker passed.
tdmiral Albert Gleaves. head Of the
uiser and transport. division Of the
ttiantic deet. met the President and