Le MeschaceÌbeÌ. [volume] ([Lucy] La.) 1853-1942, 1918-12-14
PRESIDENT WILSON AND
PARTY ON WAY TO EUROPE
Length Of Stay Not Longer Than Six
Weeks-May Visit England, Italy,
Belgium and the 5attIefieIds.

New York-Bound on a mission the
principal objects of which are the abo-
Iition of militarism and the attainment
of just world peace, Woodrow VIII
son Wednesday departed for France
to attend the greatest international
conference in history.
On the transport George Washing
ton, one time German passenger liner,
manned by navy crew and with deck
guns ready for action, and accom-
panied by a naval convoy, the presi-
dent left New York harbor Wednesday
amid a demonstration without parallel
in the history of the port.
The president took his place on the
flying bridge as the great ship moved
of many nations dipped flags and toot-
ed whistle and thousands of persons
bade him Godspeed in cheers and flag
wavings from skyscrapers and piers.
Off quarantine, where Staten Island
throngs waved and shouted second
farewell and monitors, gunboats and
artillerymen at Fort Hamilton joined
in saluting gun fire, .ie George Wash
ington met it's ocean convoy, the su-
perdreadnought Pennsylvania and a
quintet of destroyers. With her Of
ficial consort and ten other destroy
ers which joined the fleet for cruise
to the limit of American territorial
waters, the George Washington disap-
peared over the eastern horizon short
ly after noon.
Mr. Wilson left his native shores,
according to persons who conferred
with him before the George Washing
ton sailed, determined against mill
tarism in any form. He feels that the
crushing of Prussian militarism is part
of his plan for the future peace of the
world, these informants said.
In command of Admiral Mayo, the
peace squadron is heading, it is un-
derstOod, for Brest, an American de-
barkation port in France. Its date of
arrival is uncertain, but a quick pas
sage is not required, as ample time
remains for conferences preliminary
to the main peace assemblage.
The president does not expect to be
abroad for more than six weeks, which
would give him just a month on Eu-
ropean soil. Before the peace confer
ence meets he will confer with Pre-
miers Lloyd George of Great Britain,
Clemenceau of France and Orlando Of
Italy and probably with King Albert
of Belgium to discuss the salient
points Of the peace treaty.
While in Europe Mr.. Wilson plans
to visit England and Italy as well as
France and he may go to Brussels. He
also is understood to intend to make
a pilgrimage to some of the battle
fields in France. Great preparations
have been made in London, Paris and
Rome for the presidents reception
Those in the presidents immediate
party include: The president and Mrs.
Wilson, Rear Admiral Cary T. Gray
son, the presidents physician; George
Creel, chairman of the committee on
public information; Gilbert T. Close,
confidential clerk of the president; E.
I. Hoover, head usher at the White
House, and Miss Edith Benham, secre-
tary to Mrs. Wilson. Others The Sec
retary of state and Mrs. Lansing, Sec
retary Baker, who was to leave the
party at Hoboken; John w. Davis, am
bassador 10 Great Britain, and Mrs.
Davis; Henry White. member of the
peace delegation Mrs. Benson, wife of
Rear Admiral W. S. Benson; Major
and Mrs Scott, Lieutenant Comman-s
der Hatch, Mr.. Harris. Mr. McNeir,
Mr.. Welch, Sidney Smith, the French
ambassador and Mrs. Jusserand, Count
de Cellere, the Italian ambassador, and
Mrs. de Cellere and two children, and
Colonel R, H. Jordan of the general
staff, transportation officer.