Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-26
WILSON WELCOMED
To LONDON AS A
ROYAL PARSONAGE
Streets Thronged With Cheering
Britishers as He is Driven to
Buckingham Palace.
ROUTE A RIOT OF FLAGS
By Asso ciatesi Press to Every Evening

By Asso ciated Press TO Every Evening
London, Dec 26 President and Mrs
Wilson are IN Buckingham Palace this after
noon after journey frrm Cal ais to Ion
don during which they were accorded all
the honors ever given royalty. Never has
a royal progress, except those OF great
national ceremonials, excited such interest
here as the first state visit Of an American
President
The drive Of the short procession from
the station to the palace war made through
streets lined with the the Guards Req
ments in khaki Fresh flags hung YER
head and covered the buildings, while
windows, balconies, sidewalks and open
spaces were filled with people, many Of
whom wore the American colora
First came the Sovereign's escorts Of
troops from the Household Cavalry
Then cnme the carriages with King George
an President Wilson and Queen Mary,
Mrs Wilson and Princess Mary They
were followed by three others, which pass
ed almost unnoticed, rs all eyes were for
Mr.. and Mrs. Wilson and the royal family.
The route lay through q most interest
ng section of London From Charing
Cross it ran along he north side Of Trafal-
gar Square, with the Nelson monument
towering on the left and the National
Gallery on the right, its gray walls almost
covered by huge American and British
hags II continued along Pail Mall.
turning northward at St James Place
and mp St James street 10 Piccadlliy
Between Piccadilly and Buckingham
Palace there stretches Green Park which
WAS dark with people. The party drove
| past Wellington Arch, along the southern
side of the park, then into the broad plaza
before the palace and through the IRON
gates into tho palace forecomt
Probably the most interesting part Of
! the spectacle for the President was the
| people who were crowded everywhere
! TO greet him. The day being a holiday,
working men and women had a chance
10 turn out. with their small children
| They made the most Of their opportunity
and 10 no stratum of British humanity
could the President have made stronger
appeal The interior ~of the grlrny old
station, where King George welcomed
MIR Wilson, was carpeted with red AMI
the walls and roofs were hidden behind
masses Of flags
The Presidents trip to London vas
carried out according to schedule His
! train, which left Dover at Il. 2.;}3 o clock,
arrived at Charing Cross station here
exactly on time
As the Presidents tram crossed the
! Thames and entered the station the
crowd cheered. A salute Of fortv-one guns
was fred from the Tower of London and in
i Hyde Park
Before the Presidents s arrival it seemed
as though London was to have its coldest
/ day Of the winter There was ice IN the
streets and i white frost on the grass.
At eleven 0 clock streets in the West End
were filed with holiday throngs afoot and
IN motor cars.
The parade was witnessed by such
an outpouring OF people and amid such
enthusiasm as London never had known
/ except upon the occasion of coronations
and of Queen Victoria jubilee in 1897
The progress Of the royal and presi-
/ dental party was IN seui-state coaches,
each drawn by -four dark horses, with
two postllhons in scarlet coats. white
i hrceches and black silk hats, with two
/ footmen in long buff oyercoats sitting
j behind The coaches were escorted by
! squads Of scarlet-coated outTideTs.
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