The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1918-12-06
WILSON LEAVES
AMID CHEERS

New York, Dec. 4-Bound on a
| mission the principal objects of which
are the abolition of militarism and the
attainment of just world peace,
Woodrow Wilson, first President OF
the United States to visit Europe
while in office, was tonight speeding
across the Atlantic toward France TO
attend the greatest international con-
ference in history.
On the transport George Washing
ton, one time German passenger liner.
manned by a navy crew and with
deck guns ready for action, and ac-
companied by a naval convoy, the
President left New York harbor to-
day amid demonstration without
parallel in the history OF the port.
Ships Dip Flags
The >President took his place on
the bridge as the great ship moved
down the bay. River craft and ships
of many nations dipped flags and
footed whistles and thousands of per-
sons bade him God-speed in cheers
and flag wavings from skyscrapers
and piers
OFF quarantine, where Staten Is
| land throngs waved and shouted a
second farewell and monitors, gun
boats and artillerymen at Fort Ham
| ilton joined in saluting gunhres, the
| George Washington met its ocean
convoy-the superdreadnaught Penn
| sylvania and quintet of destroyers
With her official consort and ten 9TH
et destroyers which joined the feet
| for cruise to the, limit Of American
10 .-,fn oil TO I,
lington disappeared over the eastern
horizon shortly after noon.
Mr.. Wilson left his native shores,
according to persons who conferred
| with him before the Georgia Wash
ington sailed, determined against mil
itarism 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
Troops Cheer Him.
In emphasis, it seemed, of Amer
icas part in bringing about Ger
many's downfall, the Presidential
party, outbound, met some of the
American hosts returning from over
seas. Two thousand homecoming
aviation troops on the Lapland cheer
ed the George Washington as she left
her pier, and outside quarantine the
Minnekahda was sighted, steaming up
the harbor with more than 5000 sol
dlerS as passengers
in command of Admiral Mayo, the
peace squadron is heading, it is I'M
derstood, for Brest, eli American de-
barkation port in France. Its date Of
arrival is uncertain, but quick pass
age is not required, as ample time re-
mains for conference preliminary to
the main peace assemblage. OFF the
French coast the President will be
welcomed by squadron of American
warships. French, British and Ital-
, ian vessels also, it is expected. will
join in the greeting at sea, which will
be followed by succession of official
( ceremonies marking the progress of
| the American executive to Paris, to
the war front, and presumably to the
capitals Of Great Britain, Belgium and
Italy.
Prominent Men Aboard
The liners passenger lists contains
a group of prominent names, probably
without parallel for any single voy-
age in the annals of shipping. With
| the President are two of his fellow
| delegates to the peace conference,
Secretary of State Robert Lansing
and Henry White, former ambassador
to France and Italy, who will join
Col Z. M. House and Gen Taskcr
H. Bliss, already in Europe. Guests
Of the Chief Executive included the