The sun., 1918-12-27

with people, many OF whom wore the
American colors.
Although the trip was, short one
IL lay through a most interesting sec
ton of London. From Charing Cross
the route ran along the north side OF
Trafalgar Square, with the Nelson
Monument towering on the left and
| the National Gallery on the right, us
gray walls almost covered by huge
American and British flags. 1t con-
| tinupd along Pail Mall. turning north
ward at st. Jamess place and up ~
Jamess street to Piccadilly-the chl"i
landmarks along this stage being the
solid, weather worn buildings of the
old London clubs now decked with
bunting they keep for special occa-
sions. The procession drove westward
along the north side Of Piccad!lly, also
a tract of clubs and big hotels and pa
| latial re sidenCes, notably the home Of
| the Duke of Devonshire, with the Red
Cross flag over it, and the residence Of
| the Duke of wellington. at Hyde Park
, corner where the process on turned.
Enter Palace Forecourt.
Between Plccadilly and Buckingham
| Palace there stretched green park,
which was dark with people. Tho
party drove past Wellington Arch
| and along the southern side of the
! park, flanked on the right by the wall
| of The Palace ground. and then into
the broad plaza before the Palace and
through the iron gates into the Palace
| forecourt.
Probably the most interesting part
of the spectacle for the President was
the people who were crowded every
where to greet him. The day being n
| holiday-Boxing Day-workingmen
and women had a chance to turn out,
with their small children. They made
the most Of their opportunity and to
no stratum of British humanity could
, the President have made stronger
| appeal.
American residents of London or
| gained a real American welcome for
the President. American naval and
military missions. with leading mem
| bers OF the American colony, Comman-
deered n large hotel in Piccadilly.
| Every window and balcony was pro-
vided with large baskets of laurel,
large handfuls Of which were thro
down with flowers as the carriaf IS
containing the President and Mrs. Will
son passed. President Wilson Ind
King George saluted repeatedly in ac-
| acknowledgement Of the tribute
Day Cold but FogIess.
Before the Presidents arrival it
nd 7
! coolest day of the winter. There was
ice In the streets and a white frost on
the grass. Fortunately. however
there was neither the rain nor the fog
which usually prevails in December
Before IL o'clock streets in the West
End were flied with holiday throngs,
afoot and in motor cars watching hun
dreds OF workmen putting the finish
ing touches to the decorations. some
OF which had been blown down dur
ing the night.
ST. Jamess street made a brave dis
play. Across the street was a huge
blue banner with the words "The cit
| liens Of Westminster Welcome Presi-
dent Wilson," in gold letters.
Sightseers poured In during the
''ci INNS lOiIl pulIllS lu"dTu lub
| centre OF interest. There were thou
sands of soldiers and sailors many
hundreds Of school children shepherded
by nuns and teachers, hundreds of
| flag vendors, the familiar burnt cork
minstrels Of Boxing Day. with banjos
costers on donkey carts Bishops in
| black CATERS. Generals in various
uniforms and women and girls in their
/ now Christmas furs. Many brought
their lunch in boxes or baskets
From the War Office and other Gov
eminent buildings in Whitehall Brit
! ish and American flags were nyin,
| from the same staff Photographs "
| President Wilson were displayed in
| windows all along hts route TO Buck
| ingham Palace.
English country folk gathered all
| along the railway from Dover To the
| suburbs of London To see President
Wilson's train go by. They sat on
| fences and clustered on trcetops and
roofs despite the bitter cold for 4
| glimpse OF the train. They waved ami
cheered Ak the train went by at sixis
! miles an hour.