New Britain herald., 1918-12-27
NOTABLE GUESTS At
WILSON'S LUNCHEON
Men Prominent in English Poll
tics Greet Him Today

London, Dec. 27.-Premier Lloyd
George accompanied by Sir Maurice
Hankey, secretary to the committee
on imperial defense, arrived at Buck
ingham Palace at 1890 this morning
for a. conference with President Will
son. The day was dark and rainy
but a big crowd had arrived before
the premier.
Mr.. Wilson was astir early this
morning and was busy with his Sec
rotary. There were a number of
American callers and the Duke Of
Connaught and Sir Richard Herschel1
visited the palace before the arrival
of the premier. Secretary of state
Ba1four walked over from the for
eign office to attend the conference
The company invited to meet Presi-
dent Wilson for the luncheon ar
ranged to be held today at Premier
Lloyd Georges residence comprised
small gathering of elder statesmen,
the personnel including the leaders in
the last and the present government
and the heads Of three of the political
| parties, conservative, liberal and labor.
Notable Guests Present.
The luncheon gave occasion for the
first visit by former Premier Asquith
to the premier's official residence
since the liberal leader resigned his
office. Arthur Henderson, the labor
leader, also q guest, is likewise a sup
porter of the idea of a league of ma
tons, as advanced by President Will
son.
| The Presidents conference with
Premier Lloyd George and Foreign
| Secretary Balfour lasted until nearly
1870 o'clock, when the cOnfereeS left
| in separate motor cars for the
! premier's residence in Downing street.
! The premier passed out the palace
| gates first, and about 5000 persons
| who, despite the rain, had gathered
| to see the president gave Mr.. Lloyd
George a, passing cheer.
| President Wilson, accompanied by
| Sir Charles Gust, the kings equerry,
| followed. His car proceeded slowly
| and the people repeatedly cheered him
| as the car passed down the Mall to-
wards the official residence of the pre-
mier. The president smiled, bowed
and lifted his hat.
! 1t was 1 IA o'clock when the presi-
! rent drove up to No. 10 Downin &
| street. He was the tenth of the guests
! for the prime minister's luncheon to
| arrive there. He was given an en-
thusiastic greeting from the crowd.
| OF the luncheon guests, including
| representatives of all parties, the Earl
| of Reading, was the first to arrive.
He was followed by former Premier
Asquith, the Marquis of Crewe, John
! w. Davis, American am bassador Earl
Curzon and Viscount Bryce. The pre-
mier himself, who was detained at
| the conference in buckingham Palace,
, came next, and after him Arthur Hen
| derson, the labor leader and Andrew
Bonar Law, chancellor of the ex-
| chequer.
President Loudly Cheered.
Premier Lloyd George and Secre-
tar Balfour were cheered by the
| crowd, but it was evident that it was
for. Rear Admiral Grayson, who es-
! corted the president stepped out of
the motor cor and was followed by
| the president himself
Frantically cheering, the crowd
| surged by the police right UP to the
| entrance of the house, swarm1ng
| about the presidents car
President Wilson, smiling genially,
| raised his hat and bowed. The crowd
cried for a speech but the president,
| still smiling and waving his hand, dis
| appeared into the house.
The entrance room was especially
| decorated for the occasion.
From the public buildings in White
| hall and from the Foreign Office and
| No. 10, the Stars and Stripes and the
| Union Jack waved together.