New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-12-04

New York, Dec. 4,-Woodrow Will
son, president of the United States,
sailed today for Europe to participates
as one of five representatives of the
United States to the peace conferences
to be held in France. The transport
George Washington got under way at
1915 a. m.
|. Band Plays cover There
AS the George Washington swung
out into the North river on a voyage
unprecedented in American history
President and Mrs Wilson stood on
the flying bridge, the highest point to
which passengers could climb. An
army band on the shore played "Oyer
There"
President Waves Hat.
With the president waving his hat
to cheering throngs aboard river craft
which crowded nearby waters, the
George Washington turned her head
toward the sea shortly after 1890
o'clock. AS the big liner Strengthened
her course the presidential salute of
21 guns thundered from the trans
ports guns which during more than a
year of war had served to defend
thousands Of American soldiers from
German submarine attacks.
The big ship backed more than
half way across the river before she
turned and when two destroyers and
a naval tug took her in escort for the
trip down the bay the maneuVre was
witnessed by a multitude of persons
crowding roofs and upper windows of
New York skyscrapers and piers on
both sides of the Hudson.
River Traffic Stopped.
The tug took a position directly
ahead of the George Washington,
stopping all cross stream traffic and
clearing a path toward Quarantine,
while the destroyers ranged along
either side AS the fleet started down
the bay a squadron Of airplanes
executed q series of daring loops above
the presidents ship.
The liner and it's convoy steamed
toward the sea with the George Wash 4
ington's band playing martial airs ana
with harbor craft of all types, in
eluding many Allied merchant ships,
dipping flags and footing whistles.
Off Staten Island the George Washing
ton met it's ocean convoy-the
dreadnought Pennsylvania and
quintet Of destroyers, trim in new
coats Of battleship grey.
School Children Cheer.
AS the squadron passed through the
gate in the submarine net which
stretches across the narroWs and
within 500 feet of the Staten Island
shore, group of several hundred
school children was transformed into
a sea of waving flags.
The presidential fleet passed Quar-
antine at il o'clock. the Pennsylvania
leading and the destroyers depIoyed
on either side and in the wake Of the
TRANSPORT Guuboats i'll the lower bay
fired saIvoes in salute.
- AirpIane Leads Way.
AS the squadron steamed out to sea
a single airplane, travelling only so
feet above the water, could be seen
leading the way toward the eastern
horizon.
Across the waters of the Hudson
lust as the George Washington was
about to sail there came the roaring
cheers of more than 1000 American
soldiers returning to American shores
on the British transport Lapland.
From crowded rigging, from densely
hacked rails, and from every porthole
the homecoming fighting men shouted
greetings to their president; and from
the decks of the presidential liner and
the destroyers guarding her answer
ing cheers came back.
The river craft and shore line
crowds which had gathered to bid the
Continued On Tenth Page).