Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-12-13
Great Demonstration For
President Az He Reaches
France.
IMPOSING SPECTACLE
IN BREST HARBOR
Fifty American and Frsneh Warships
Act 10 Escort and Guard 40 Prssi-
Dental Party Arrives in French
pert-Huss Battlsships Lead Way
and rhunderous Salutss Are Fired
Oy Ship and Shore Batteries.
lBy the Associated Press.l

[By the Associated Press.]
Brest, France, Dec. 13.-President
Wilson reached the harbor Of Brest on
board the steamer George Washington
at o'clock this afternoon and precise
ly at 1924 o'clock stepped ashore, the
FIRST time an American president had
trod on European soil. The George
Washington arrived in the harbor amid
deafeniug salvos Of artillery afloat and
on short
There was a laundering cannonade
as the presideht's launch left the
George Washington and landed at pier
number 3. 1t was escorted to the tri-
bune amid cheers and salvos and the
notes Of The Star Spangled Banner"
President Wilson came ashore with
Mrs. Wilson, who carried an American
flag and bouquet.
Imposing Naval Spectacle.
The arrival Of the president in the
harbor was the elimination of an inn
posing naval spectacle which began as
the. presidential fleet rounded the out
er capes. then passed the entrance
forts and moved majestically into the
horbor, where the George Washingt on
anchored at the head OF a long double
column Of American dreadnaughts and
destroyers and the units Of French
squadron.
The presidential feet was first sight
ed At II o'clock this morning. fifteen
miles, off shore. The sea was calm and
tbs ktateiy fleet moved landward under
skies which were steadily bF1ghtaning.
Il SAs more than m hour later that
the shIps were signaled at the en-
trance OF the harbor aAd great cheer
aruoe 4oeAaAAe waiting crowd a. the
, cloud II black smoke showed that the
presidential fleet was near.
Wanhips Lssd Way. =
Ahead came single destroyer, show
ing the way to the fleet. and close be-
hind loomed the huge hulk OF the bat
tleships Pennsylvania and Wyoming.
flying respectively the flags Of Admir-
'sal Mayo, commander of the fleet, and
Vice Admiral Simns. commander Of
the American naval forces in Euro
pean waters.
Just back OF them moved the George
Washington. bearing the president,
flanked on either side by the battle
ships Arkansas. Florida, Utah, Ne
vada. Oklahoma, New York. Texas, and
Arizona, by French cruisers and by
great flotilla Of American and French
torpedo boat destroyers.
The entrance to the harbor is a mar
row strait . mile wide with forts
crowning the towering cliffs on each
side. Through this avenue the i'm
| posing pageant moved, each Of the ten
forts contributing its cannonade and
the ten American battleehips answer
ing gun for gun.
1hvnesrous Salute Fired.
AS the feet neared the inner harbor
the land batteries and the assembled
war craft took up the thunderous salute
while the quays. the hills and the ter
races Of the old Breton city rang with
cheers from the enthusiastic multitude.
AT the same time all the war craft,
merchantmen and transports dressed
lship and manned the yards. and the
letrains Of the American anthem float
LED over the water, mingled with the
lroar Of the guns and the shouts of5tne
Vast crowds.
The George Washington came to
I|apchor q mile of shore. while the bat
tltle ships ranged themselves in double
Scolumn on either side.
| Greeted by French Officials.
l President Wilson witnessed the
}Epcctacle from the deck Of his steamer
waving freetingsl and acknowledge
llDerts as the cheering throngs ashore
|Eind with the artillery in the old worlds
llirst tribute to An American president.
Soon after the arrival Of the presi-
ldential Meet Stephen Pichon, the
rehch foreign minister George Ley
Sfues. tue minister Of marine. who were
I'M Bresf>to meet the president on be-
|a1f Of the French government board
lie i5 the the ship - extend the first greet
(hg. American officials also went on
Hoard to make the arrangements for the
lknding Of the president.
The French ministers and American
llnicials boarded the George Washing
Non at 1880. They were accompanied
|jy Miss Marguerite. Wilson. As soon
}ls they had gone aboard the George
JKashington preparations began for the
ltresident's landing. About nifty Amer
n Ian ana French wanhips were in the
"A 6adstead.
y Dampnsss Evsry~hsrs.
lLEariy today heavy clouds shut out
Ikunshine and sky. hut the downpour;
Iof rain, which prevailed yesterday.
ebatsd during the night and the wind
Ilsubsided to q gentle breeze blowing In
from the sea. Il The mist which had
keiled the harbor Tor several days had
lblown. away and the splendid pano-.
nma on the harbor stood out clearly.
The outer strait leading fsom the
lrbor3 to the sea IL clearly marked
kth ~ towering black rocks, on the
4ush, where submarines used, to lurk.
I Nd land batteries. With the lighthouse
q the north. n w II s5y i, . 4
1,SThe avenues and terraces leading
vom the harbcr were still drenched
q nIt q army Of laborers cleared the,
N Il 49, !. Fossts I 4 wh!ch Presidsat