Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-13
GALA DAY IN BREST
AS WILSON ARRIVES
City and Harbor Thronged With
Grateful People to Pay
Tribute to America.
Rr Associated Pres, 70 Every Evenlnr

Brest, Dec l3-ll.30 n m-The
George Washington, President Wilson's
ship, hortly after li.30 O'Clock was pass-
ing Point St. ATathieu, - miles outside
the harbor.
Tho weather IS dark and cloudy and
thcro is light wind. The ram and
mist have ceased and the entrance 10
tho harlor IS distinctly visible
The fleet conveying tho Presidents
ship. is expected 10 arrive NJ | O'Clock,
according 10 a naval report squadron
Of American hattleships hos Joined the
fleet and exchanged salutes with the
conveying vessels.
Tho days first ray Of sunlight fell
across the George Washington rs She
anchored. whlc the huge reproduction
&c the Statue of Liberty on shore w9s
brilliantly illuminated AS tho sun broke
through the clouds
The Presidents ship moved into the
harhor through lines formed ~ tho battle
ships She dropped anchor about mile
off shore amid turnultuous dcmonstrl-
tion.
An anspicious day il promised p narll
the first time m American President steps
pn European soil
Within the harb0r there IL n erenc uf
fleets of warships and merchant craft
broke out heir cnlors and dressed shin
with long lines of steamers. 4 group Of
French cruisers In their war paint swung
1T anchorage, with n score Of French
destroyers about them. Near At hand
doomed the big liner Ia France, used ~
hospital ship, but about 10 resume her
transatlantic service American des-
trovcrs, naval yachts and small craft
qlided about the harbor. and further of
lay great fotilIas Of merchant ships, trans
ports, lreighters and quaint Breton fish
ing craft Two American freighters we're
still unloading army supplies here and
an American transport was preparing 70
take more American troops homeward.
Il WAS scene stirring with activity and
one which glowed with color ~ by a
| touch of sunlight.
Since early morning, feet Of airnianes
/ has lowered above the entrance t0 the
harbor, keeping an outlook for he ap-
preaching feet On shore there was
equal animation. as vast thrOngs Ok
Bretons, in their picturesque head gear
packed the streets and masscd along the
qIays ami terraces overlooking the
harboT Early in the day French and
American soldiers lined the streets and
TOOK AsEl1Url ElDottloIla 1RlLlE tAle = DlIS
DaJot. The handsome promenade lead
ing from the commercial harhor 70 the
city. over which President Wilson VIII
pass.
The whole city * 3 mass Of bunting,
with Place President Wilson hung with
streaners and nottoes. The entire
Presidential route IS lined with Venetian
masts, flags and transparencies.
At about g O'Clock the French cruiser
squadron consisting Of he Admiral
Aude, Conde and Montcalm, with q
number Of destroyerS, moved out of the
harbor, amid the screoch Of sirens, TO
meet the incoming feet
\ special train bearing Stephen Plchon,
the French foreign minister; Georges
Leygues, the AElnSiter Of Marine and
other distinguished officials, officers IF
the army and navy and the foreign COM
nittcc Of the chamber Of deputies arrived
this morning and another train brought
American Ambassador Sharp. Colonel L.
" House. General Pcrshing, General
Bliss, Admiral Benson and other pro-
mincnt Americans.