New-York tribune., 1918-12-06
Wilson Peace Ship
In Continuous Touch
With u. S. by Radio

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The Navy
Department announced tonight that it
has been in continuous communication
by radio with the steamer George
Washington since it left New York
yesterday with President Wilson and
his party on board. No information
was given, however, as to the kind of
weather the vessel and her conveying
fleet had encountered or their position
At the White House tonight it was
said that no communication from the
President had been received, but it was
explained that the President had left
his desk clear and that no matters of
Importance requiring his attention had
developed
The Navy Departments announce
ment disclosed that special arrange
ments never before used were made
for handling the Presidents messages
and to insure his being in constant
touch with Washington.
Both Have Powerful Sets
"The George Washington and the
battleship Pennsy ylvania," said the
the statement. "are both equipped with
the most powerful transmitting ap-
paratus, some of which was installed
for this particular trip. This ap-
paratus includes, on the Pennsylvania,
the most powerful transmitting set on
any United States naval ship and
special receiving apparatus for receiv-
ing from high power stations used
ordinarily only for s-Atlantic mes
sages. The George Washington also
was especially equipped with similar
receiving apparatus.
"On board both ships were installed
radio telephones and the newest type
OF low power radio sets for use onlv
in communication from shin to shin
The George Washington and the Penn
sylvania are thus able to communicate
with each other and at the same time
receive messages from shore.
Annapolis Receives All
"All messages for the President are
sent by the new naval high power
station at Annapolis, which is five
times as powerful as the Arlington
by the George Washington and the
Pennsylvania simultaneously. All re
plies are forwarded from the George
Washington to the Pennsylvania anc
relayed to shire by the PENNSYLVANIA
"At three special naval radio receiy
ing stations, one in Maine, one in New
Jersey and one in the Navy Building
Washington, expert operators art
listening continuously for the Pennsyl
vania's messages. The messages wher
received are forwarded with utmot dis
patch to the Transatlantic Radio Di
+ vision of the Office of the director O
naval communications in the Navy De
partment, and the three copies ar
compared to insure accuracy. Th
message is then delivered to the ad
dressee. All outgoing messages pas
through the anne Office in Warrington
Soon in Touch With Europe
GAS the Presidential party ap
| rroaches Europe, by arrangements o
the Navy Department, special receiving
stations in both England and Franc
will listen for messages from the Penn
sylvania, and one of the French high
power stations will forward message
direct to the ship. The President thu
will be kept in touch with Washingto
and Paris or London simultaneous,
for the George Washington will re
ceive easily the messages sent frol
the Annapolis station until the en-
of the voyage and the ship is in
French port"
While enroute to Europe, Presider
Wilson and mis- party will be kept dali
informed of the events Of the worl
through the Navy News Report, whic
is flashed nightly from the Navs
Radio Station, at Arlington, and is re
layed to all naval ships and station
) both at home and abroad. This repol
7 is prepared by naval officer especial
/ assigned for the work and is made II
from Associated Press dispatches.