The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-12-13
American President Receives
Great Reception on His
Arrival at BreSt.
BIG WAR FLEET ASSEMBLIES
Nine U. S. Dreadnaughts In Line
Visitor - Another National
Holiday for the
Occasion.

Brest, France, Dec. 13.-The great
est war fleet assembled by French
port since the war began formed an
avenue of steel down which President
Wilson and his party on the U. S. S.
George Washington passed today.
After the thunder of the guns had
died away and the formalities Of ad-
mirals' calls and visits of dignitaries
and the piping salutes from the
French and American flagships was
all over, the first American president
to visit a foreign land while in office
passed under bower, every leaf of
which was a message of affection from
the children of France.
This human touch was characteris-
the president In Paris.
Nine U. S. Dreadnaughts Meet Him.
From Portland, England, yesterday
sailed Admiral Sims fleet of nine su-
perdreadnaughts to meet the o. S. S.
George Washington and act as her es-
cOrt on the last lap of the journey to
BreSt.
were preparing to carry the tri-color
seawards and join the escorting fleet.
Miss Margaret Wilson, the presi-
dents daughter was here to meet her
father.
Twenty-eight American and four
French destroyers, still camoufiaged
from their recent submarine hunting
expeditions, led the way. They were
followed by the French cruisers Ad
miral Aube and Moncalm, six light
cruisers, and the American battleships
Florida, Utah, Wyoming, Arkansas,
New York, Texas, Nevada, Oklahoma
and Arizona-Admiral Sims flagship
and Pennsylvania, with Admiral
Mayo.
Wilson Landed at 8 p. M.
Outside the breakwater warships
dropped anchor, forming a double line.
The George Washington advanced
while each warship fired a salute Of
21 shots.
The Wilson ship dropped anchor at
three o'clock in the afternoon. The
French and American admirals then
made their formal calls on the George
Washington, whereupOn the Wilson
party boarded naval tug that car
ried them to the Port du Commerce.
There the French foreign minister
welcomed the party on behalf of Presi-
dent Poincare. There was a delega
ton of senators and deputies, and
Mayor Coude, the Socialist boss" Of
Brest made an address of welcome on
behalf of the municipal council. A big
deputation of Paris Socialists was
there.
Take Special Train for Paris.
From the moment President Wilson
stepped ashore the French military
had charge of his safety. After the
ceremonies on the pier the Wilson
party entered carriages and, headed
By detachments of infantry and French
sailors, rode in a triumphal progress
through the town to the railway sta
ton, where a special train awaited to
take them to Paris.
Paris Ready for Ovation.
Paris, Dec. 13.-Paris is awaiting
the arrival of President Wilson and
another national holiday for the cele
bration of the allied victory.
The official delegations to receive
the American president left for Brest
last night A luxurious special train
was reserved for the use of President
Poincare The French ministry was
represented by Stephen Pinchon, the
foreign minister, and Georges Leygues,
the minister of marine.
The delegation included deputa-
ton from the senate and the chamber
of deputies and Andre Tardieu,
French high commissioner to the
United States.