Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-28
WILSON, MAYORS
GUEST ATLUNCHEON,
RECEIVES ADDRESS
President Meets England's Most
Prominent Financiers and Big
Business" Captains.
SEES LEAGUE LEADERS
By Associated Press TO Every Evening

b y Associated Press TO Every Evening
London, Dec. 2S.-This is President's &
Day in the city of London. The two
first chapters of President Wilson
English visit have been devoted to meet
ings and functions with royal and political
pcrsonages of the government circle The
scene shifts today 10 the sorpbre old pre-
cincts of the Guildhall and the Mansion
House, set In the midst of the financial
and commercial precincts which are the
heart of Britain's strength
In the GuIldhall, an address of welcome
was presented TO the President on behalf
OF the city in the presence of company of
moro than thousand representatives OF
the government and of finance and of
commerce Afterwards the President was
entertained at luncheon by the lord mayor
and the corporation Of the city-a frmc-
ton which was attended by three hundred
guests with the business clement pre-
dominating
OF American presidents. Grant and
Roosevelt, after their respective admins
trations, have received honors at the
Guildhall, while the eloquence Of long
line of American diplomats men as
John Hay. Thomas w Bsyard, Joseph
II Choate, Whitelaw Reid and the late
Ambassador Page, have been heard in
the Mansion House. number of Euro
pean rulers and statesmen have been
entertained in both places.
Todav's event in the city had q double
interest through the appearance there of
the first American President to come dur
ing the term of his office and a general
belief that he would make pronounce
ment Of political and international I'M
portance.
President Wilson, AZ the American
embassy today, received a delegation
from the League of Nations Union. 1t
was headed by NIscount Grey. former
secretary for foreign affairs, and it in
cluded the archbishop Of Canterbury and
Niscount Bryce, former British ambassa-
dor TO the United States.
The President, In addressing the dele
CATION, said:
Gentlemen, | am very much oompli-
mentcd that you should come In person
To present this address and | have been
delighted and stimulated TO find the
growing and prevailing interest in the
subject Of the league of nations, not only
q growing interest, merely, but a growing
purpose. which | am sure will prevail,
and il is delightful that members of the
government which brought this nation
into the war because Of the moral obllga-
tions based upon treaty should be
among those who have brought me this
paper. because on the other side of the
water We have greatly admired the mo-
tIves and subscribed TO the principles
which actuated the government Of Great
Britain in obeving that moral dictate.
You have shown what We must or
ganiae. namely. that same force and sense
Of obligAtion and unless we organize It the
thing that we do now will not stand.
Il feel that 50 strongly that II IS par
ticularly cheering to know just how strong
and imperative the idea has become. /
thank YOU very much. indeed. II has
teen privilege 10 see YOU personally.
Il was Just saving TO Lord Grey that
we had indirect knowledge Of each other
and that am glad TO identity him. |
feel as | had met him long ago, and |
had the pleasure OF matching minds with
Mr. Asqurth Yesterday"
While the President this morning re-
ceived addresses from deputations repre-
senting a number Of societies and church
organizations at the American Embassy,
khaki clad troops marched toward the city
and distributed themselves along the
route, while the gilded coaches of city
functionaries brought the aldermen and
the sherifs In their robes of Office to the
Guildhan.
The procession had the same features
as that on the occasion of the President S
entrance into London There was the
same escort Of Household cavalry out
riders IN scarlet livery but there were only
three semi-state landaus instead of five Is
before
The guard OF honor from the famous
Ancient Artillery Company was drawn
up before the Guildhsll, where the Duke
of Connaught was the first important
guest to arrive The Presidential party
was received at the entrance by the Lord
Mayor, Sir Horance Marshall, the Lady
Mayoress and the Sheriff and members
Of the reception committee.
The Guildhall yard was transformed
into gorgeous bower of pennants and
fags Of the associated governments among
which the Stars and Stripes predominated
From the spire floated the great white
and red flag Of the City of London
| The daughter of the Lord Mayor pre-
/ sented Mrs Wilson with a bouquet as she
( arrived and the President inspected the
/ guard Of honor
I The procession then formed and passed
! into the Guildhall. 1t made a fine show
/ Of color, with the crimson and black and
( gold Of the city officials regain. First
4 came the city marshals and the under
; sheriffs and the members Of the Commons
, on the reception committee, Sir Harry
I Hepburn, the chairman Of the committee,
/ the town clerk, the sheriffs. the aldermen,
the recorder, and the Presidents suite.
/ The President was ushered into the ancient
banquet hall, already crowded with
guests High up on the walls hung the
cherished battle banners Of the famous
London Regiments, and below them at
intervals there were draped for the oc-
casion the flags Of the United States and
Of England.