The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-12-13
FRENCH RECEIVE WILSON
WITH WIDE open ARMS
distinguished Statesmen and Peasants BY the
Thousands Unite in Honoring Nations
Chief Executive.

away villages In great American
army motor trucks.
Every ear was eagerly attuned 10
catch the first muffled roar OF the
salute from the assembled warcraft
to the George Washington.
Strict naval regulations were Issued
and every precaution was taken to
safeguard the president and his party.
Orders were given that no craft should
move In the harbor while the George
Washington was at anchor. except the
official tenders carrying the welcom-
ing officials and members Of President
Wilson's party.
It was stated that no formal speech
would be made in behalf Of the gov
ernment as It was deemed fitting that
only President Poincare was worthy
to welcome formally such dis
tinguished visitor. That ceremony was
reserved for the capital.
The program OF ceremonies on board
the ship was confined to the briefest
and most informal introductions. Ten
ders were then provided to take the
presidential party ashore.
Following the brief ceremony, II was
planned for the visitors and the ofii-
cials to leave the pier in motorcars. es-
corted by an honor guard from the
French marines.
This city for the time. laid OF the
busy air 1t has worn since the Ameri-
can soldiers began arriving In France.
The great roadstead had been cleared
of ships and those that remained at
their docks were dressed out in hags
from keel to truck.
Every high point Of ground swarmed
with people.
For two days big gangs Of German
prisoners of war had been at work
cleaning the soupy mud from the
streets.
Great banners were stretched across
inscriptions as:
.Hurrah for President Wilson, de-
fender of the rights Of the people"
and "vive Wilson. VINO merits so
much from humanity"
Not only Brest, but the whole coun-
tryside gave itself over to celebra-
tion of the gala occasion. The streets
that had been hitherto cumming with
industry, and traffic, moving hundreds
of thousands of Americans toward the
front. were thronged with merry
makers. Nevertheless. some work
v4s x: ~, Y! so!es ssss.% on ], Am.r,o.a .r.uo
wes reyeFzed today. Instead q troops
IngS brought from the lhtsfief for
tr6nspcrtstt6n hcma Most o. thess
~, Card washington Il to re-
turn to the United States and she
will take home with her thousands OF
wounded doughboys, who will occupy
tho places that accommodated the
members of the presidential party on
the eastward voyage.
The excitement over the presidents
arrival was not confined to Brest.
Dawn found the Breton coast lined
with keen-eyed fisher folk watching
for the FIRST glimpse Of smoke smudge
on the horizon, which would fore
shadow the arrival of this new peace
armada, Just as they had been the first
to sight the sails of the warlike Span
ish armada as 1T turned into the Eng
lish channel centuries ago.
These simple and stoical fisher folk
were dressed out in their Sunday best,
and, hard working as they are. they
took the day off, to cheer the COM
ing Of the great American. They wore
brightly colored Jackets and the wo-
mems heads were covered with
quaint caps.
Even the humblest peasant realized
the importance of President Wilson's
missiof,-how much 1t meant for peace
and democracy-and was thrilled by II.
Despite the fact that it is mid-Dec-
ember. the hills were green and 1t made
a very pleasant background for the
scenery viewed from shipboard. Enor-
nous crowds of peasants and fisher
folk gathered at Toulbrouch, of which
point the warcraft took review for
nation, the George Washington leav-
ing her escort there, and moving out
from the protecting array Of destroy
ers and battleships.
The presidential train. which was
drawn UP in the Brest railway station.
Is scheduled to depart for Paris at
4 o'clock in the afternoon with Pres
ident and Mrs. Wilson and their per-
sonal suite on board.
Busy In Preparations.
With President Wilson Aboard The
George Washington OFF The French
Coast, Dec. 13. q. N. S.-(Wireless via
Brest)-President Wilson was very
busy early this morning winding UP
his preparations for leaving the George
Washington at Brest.
He has been in constant wireless
communication with Col. House and
Gen. Bliss and Paris.