Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-27
WILSON ACCLAIMED
BY MILLIONS AS He
/: ENTERS LONDON
Great Throng Mad With Enthusi-
asm Give President a Welcome
Almost Unprecedented.
HE SPEAKS TO WOUNDED

London, Dec. 27.-The great moment
of President Wilson's first day in England
was when he stood with the King and
Queen and Mrs. Wilson on the balcony
o, Buckingham Palace today, facing a
multitude which stretched clear down the
Mall to the Admiralty, half mile distant,
and overaowed st. James Park on one
side and Green Park on the other.
Only a corporal's guard could hear
the Presidents brief speech, but the
people demanded that he show himself
and gave him greeting more clamor-
ous than any other guest of the Nation
has commanded within the memory of
the oldest Londoners.
GREAT TRIBUTE TO AMERICA.
The DAYS events constituted tribute
70 the President and to the United States
that will be historic. The official cere-
monies-a reception by the Dover Cor
poration and the navy, the welcome at
the station by the royal family and the
chief officials of the empire, and the
state progress through the heart of Lon
don-were colorcd with touches of me
diaeval pageantry, even to the crimson
coated Beef Eaters from the Tower,
bearing halberds, which the British peo-
pie cherish. That the central figure of
the royal procession In quaint state car
riaces, attended by n military escort and
Household officials, should be civilian
wearing black coat and silk hat gave
. flavor of novelty 10 the scene.
But the assembling of the people was
spontaneous. That Was the chief note
OF the day. There had been no time g.
erect stands, and windows were not adj
vertised for rent. The people simply
fiocked In from all quarters aioot, In
flags and their lunches, and standing
for hours In the cold for chance 10 get
sight of the President.
1t was a gathering principally of the
plain people; the others were IN the
country for the holiday. It was di-
verse and picturesque tbrong, such as
few capitals can muster, with 4 large
element OF soldiers, among whom the
Colonials and Americans seemed con-
spicuous and popular, dctchament Of
wounded from the hospitals, attended by
nurses, getting a full share of the cheers.
The popularity OF the Hing and Queen
was again testified TO by the ovation
given 70 them while driving TO the sta
ton 70 meet the President.
2.0O0 COO CHEERING SPECTATORS.
1t is estimated that 2,000,0O0 persons
crowded the two miles OF streets through
which the State procession passed. These
were canopied with flags and bunting.
and amid the booming OF the saluting
cannon the President OF the United States
received popular welcome almost un-
prccedented IN history.
As the procession passed through Pail
Mall. the Queen Mother Alexandra, Queen
Maude of Norway. Princess Victoria and
Prince Olaf unceremonioiisly came out of
Marlborough House and stood on the
pavement The crowd fell back SO a. 10
cicar space for the Queen. As the Presi-
dent carriage passed he leaned forward
- salute the royal group, who waved
welcome to him. The same act Of welcome
was repeated when the carriage with
Queen Mary and Mrs Wilson passed
London was not satisfied with the
funIltuou~ greeting accorded during thc
ceremonial drive TO Buckingham Palace,
where the President and Ms Wilson arc
staying 81 the guests of the Hing and
Queen Some 100000 people, filing the
serni-circular assembling place facing the
palace, cheered necessarily until the
President appeared on the balcony beside
the King They were followed by the
Queen. who waved a small American flag,
and Mrs Wilson. who carried a mon
Jack; Princess Mary and the Duke OF
Ionnaugnt
WILSON 5 81 EECE TO THE WOUNDED.
80 prolonged was the cheering that the
President, showing great emotion, waved
the chorus az voices 10 silence and then
addressed himself especially 10 the
wounded soldiers.
i do not want 70 make speech, be
said, but do want 70 tell YOU how
much ] honor YOU men who have beea
wounded in this hight for freedom and
20 thank you al for the welcome you
have 50 generously given me. hope
zach and every one OF YOU will come
through safely 10 enjoy the fruits OF the
victory for which YOU so courageously
fought"
Soon after the President reached the
Palace King George showed him through