Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1918-12-23


PARIS. Dec. c2.-CBy The Associated
Press)-President Wilson today visited
the Red Cross hospital at Neuilly, where
he shook hands individually and talked
with 1920 badly wounded Americans,
for the most part survivors Of the Cha
teau Thierry action. He spent more
than four hours in the hospital, visiting
every ward and stopping at every bed
side. Later he visited the French hos
pital val de Grace.
Speaking of his experiences at the
American hospital. the president said:
Il went through the American hospi-
tai at Neuilly with the greatest inter-
est and the greatest satisfaction. I
found the men admirably taken care of
and almost without exception in excel
lent spirits.
only very few of them looked real
ly i'll. and / think that their mothers and
their friends would have been entirely
pleased by their surroundings, and by
the alert look in their eyes, and the
keen interest they took in everything
about them
Stays Hours Instead of One
Il am sure that they will go back to
their loved ones at home with new
feeling of joy. alike in their recovery
and in the fine service they have been
able to render"
Going to the American hospital, with
the expectation of remaining an hour,
the president found four hours all too
short. as he felt that he could not leave
without speaking with every man. and
he expressed regret only at his inability
TO clasp the hands of every American
soldier in France.
The president looked tired and worn
whan the ordeal was finished. for not
withstanding the cheerfulness of the
men. and the care which they were E&-
ceiving, there were many affecting cas-
es in the wards.
| When he came to one very badly
wounded, the president sat on the edge
/ of the cot for a moment and asked
where he was from and how he had
| been wounded He admired his war
/ career and decorations. Noticing that
many of his wourds were in the leg, the
president asked: Why have we here
no men wounded in the upper part OF
the body"
Men who are wounded above the
waist are not here; they have gone on
answered the soldier simply.
Meets N. Y. Traffic Officer
One Of the men the president came
to. stood proudly erect with medals on
his blouse, and one arm outstreached
in an appliance for restoring its use
fulness. He looked suggestively like
q traffic policeman on duty.
I'm glad TO see You look so cheer
ful.' said the president
You have seen me many times be-
fore. Mr.. President" responded the
soldier. "I used to be traffic police
man at the Grand Central station
Don't you think I look natural?''
The president laughed softly 1t
probably was the only merry moment
he had in the hospital.
Another strapping fellow gave his
name as Private Wilson.
Il am proud to know I have a name
sake like YOU" said the president.
1T is very honorable name. I only
tried to do it proud responded the
soldier
One soldier had lost both legs by a
shell. II am thankful they did not get
an arm he said cheerfully.
More than $500 wounded Americans
from the battles around Chateau Thier-
ry have passed through Neuilly hospi-
tai. The 1900 remaining are the most
serious cases. whom miracles of modern
surgery are rebuilding to resume their
places in civil life, though some will
probably never leave the hospital.
The president abstained from atten-
dance at church in order to make the
visit. He was accompanied by Mrs.
Wilson and Rear Admiral Grayson. and
was met at the entrance by the COM
mandant and his staff. But he made Il
plain that he wished no ceremony.
Il just want to go in and visit the
boys and have chat with them" he
said.
, Beginning with the first ward the
president went down one side of the
room and Mrs. Wilson the other, stop
ping to chat here and there with the
wounded and grasp a hand for a mo-
ment or say a word of cheer and en-
couragement. The president. himself,
where it was possible. took the hand Of
every man, saying: I'VE hape to have
you back soon with u.s." Or Il wish
you the best of luck and a speedy re-
; covery."
So the president went from ward to
ward. always asking each mans name
and saying something intimately per-
sonal. AS he left each room he turned
for moment, and said:
Il wish you boys as merry Christ