South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-04
GREAT OVATION
FOR PRESIDENT
AS He LEAVES
All New York Joins in RouSing
Farewell to Bid Chief EX-
eCutiye GOd-Speed on
Journey Overseas.
International News Service:

international News Service:
HOBOKEN, \. j., Dec. A.
PreS't Wilson sailed for Europe
this morning to attend the peace
conference, establishing a pre-
cedent in American history.
The historic voyage began at
1924 O'Clock when the former
Hamburg-American liner George
Washington, bearing the presi-
dent and large party, began
warping out from her pier.
America said God-speed to the
presidential party in a tumult of
noise. Thousands of persons in Ho-
boken, Jersey City and lower New
burst OF cheering while all of the
craft i'm the harbor united their
whistles and sirens in one mighty
shrek Of ear-splitting noise.
Conveyed by War Craft.
The liner is being conveyed by a
squadron Of the war craft, led by
the battleship Pennsylvania, while
seaplanes and dirigibles hovered
over the ship and her precious cargo.
Hoboken, Jersey City and lower
Manhattan were a riot Of color with
the flags of the allied nations hung
from every staff and countless win
dows. Old Glory predominated, how
ever
Pres't and Mrs. Wilson, the cen
companied by two other of the
American peace ENJOYS, Sec'y Of
State Lansing and Henry White.
Gen. Tasker H Bliss. the fourth
envoy, and Col E. NJ. House. the
fifth envoy, are already in France.
The French and Italian ambassa-
dors and the Belgian minister were
on board as we'll as many army Of
fcers and other attaches. Many of
the members of the party were ac-
companied by their families.
The George Washington is sched-
uled to arrive at a French port on
Saturday, Dec. Il. according to pres
ent schedule.
The George Washington will keep
in daily touch with Washington by
wireless and will be met i'm mid
Atlantic by a convoy Of allied war
ships Gncluding American) which
will escort her to port.
Marks New Fra.
Pres't Wilson is the first president
of the United States to visit Eu-
rope during his tenure of office and
the event marks a new era OF
Americas position in world affairs.
Prest Wilson, accompanied by a
large party. arrived here from
Washington on a special train at
1880 o'clock and Immediately went
on board the George Washington.
II was a triumphal journey
throughout Despite the earliness Of
the hour crowds turned out i'm the
Jersey villages and a mass of about
10000 people greeted the party as
the train passed into HObOken. An
armed guard Of 5000 men was pro-
Vided for the president in Hoboken
and the path which he travelled
from the train 10 the liner was be-
strewn with flowers. Bouquets Of
roses were tossed TO Mr.. and Mrs
Wilson as they passed through the
double guard Of soldiers. yeowomen
and policemen.
As the president went on board
the liner and again as the ship drew
slowly oIt from her pier the mighty
sirens in New York city. originally
established to give news Of hostile
attacks in war time. burst forth with
a roar OF sound.
Every harbor craft and hundreds
of factory whistles Joined in the sa-
Lutte
Great Naval Display.
There was a great naval display
in the harbor as the George Wash
ington wore down stream past the
Statue of Liberty.
Among the conveying fleet is the
mighty battleship Pennsylvania
which will lead the presidential ship
across the Atlantic as a buffer in
the event that any obstruction might
be encountered. The Pennsylvania
Is commanded by Vice Admiral
Henry T Mayo.
The navy was well represented
upon the George Washington, also.
As Mr.. Wilson went on board he
was accompanied by Rear Admiral