Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-14

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4 ips The way 10 the fleet. and close be-
hind Eioomedsthe huge bulk Of the bat
tleships Pennsylvania and Wyoming
fyths, respectively the flags of Ad-
mir9t Mayo. commander of the Atlantic
y fleet, and Vice-Admirai Sims. com.
9 maid of the American naval forces IN
4 European waters. Just back of them
moved the George Washington, bear
ing the President hanked on eithe,
side by the battleships Arkansas
Florida, Utah. Nevada. Oklahoma, New
York, Texas and Arizona. by French
cruisers and by great fotiila oil
American and French torpcdo-boat de-
stroyors.
EACH OF TEN FORTS
sE PLUMBERS \ WELCOME
The entrance to the h0rbor is a mar
row strait mile wide, with forts
browning the towering cliffs on each
side. Through this avenue the impos-
ing. pageant moved. each OF the ten
forts contributing its cannonadc. and
thesten American battleships answering
gun for gun.
4As tho fleet neared the inner harbor
the land batteries and the assembled
war craft took up the thunderous sp-
lutte. while the qnays. the hills and the
with cheers from the enthusiastic null
titudes AT the same time all the war
craft, merchantmen , and Transports
the strains Of the American anthem
fioated over the water. mingling with
the roar Of the guns and the shouts of
The George Washington came to an
Choir mile off shore. while the battle
column on either side.
President Wilson witnessed the spec
tae lin from ne deck Of his steamer,
ments as the cheering throng ashore
We'd with the artillery in the Old
Worlds first tribute to the American
Soon after the arrival OF the presi-
Dental feet. Stephen Pichon. the
French Foreign Minister, and Georges
Leagues. the Minister OF Marine. who
were AT Brcst to meet the President on
behalf of the French, government,
boarded the George Washington to cxJ
tend their first greeting.
PRESIDENT INSISTS ON
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Advices from Brest tonight indicate
that President Wilson has come 10
nation to insist upon the formation of
q league of nations as the keystone
for, permanent peace. He considers
it inseparable from the treaty that will
write the dcnf1ite finis to the greatest
{, Upon the League of nations, the Pres
ident feels, depends the process and eX-
tent of reduction of armaments.
Gradual disarmament on land and
SSt oul0 1utOmatiCQlly Hollow the
formation OF such 4 league. The Pres
idcnt is perfectly willing that the ma
val strength should be apportioned
from geographical standpoint but
insists that such an apportionment pre-
ciudes that any group OF nations
should continue stronger than, the
Point four of the Presidents four
heen peace proposals. laid down in his
Congress on January last. provides
that adequate guarantees be given that
national armamcnts be reduced TO tho
!"TsSt point consistent with domestic
is evident enough. in the Presi-
dnhts opinion, that domestic safety
eafnG1 DC secured unless international
Tis. Question of freedom of the
seas is Of the mos, serious conse-
quences unless definite covenants in
thi matter are obtained, American
public opinion will lie insStent upon
building and maintaining All Amer
with any rival.
The President feels that in no case
must tho freedom of the seas be left
1t is regarded as natural that Presi-
dent wilson will inform Premier
Lloyd George to this effect.
IRe question an to payment by Ger
many tor the wrongs she has COM
mi5tfed' it Is felt. should cause, es-
the Presidents feeling about those
wrongs and the necessity of their re-
paration TO the utmost possible extent
ings of the allied Premiers.
me only question that is likely TO
iarise In this connection concerns the
oaslS and method of PREPARATION.
PResident Wilson is known TO hold
thesopinion that the right method Of
action would be 10 determine as sancly
as possible all rightful claims against
Germany and then TO determine the
mefnod and scale of their payment by
Gergany. the method no, being AFFECT
.la.,. = 49,
wrongs TO be paid for
President Wilson seemingly has thor
SSaghly enjoyed the voyage. Nothing
ing pictures taken OF him with tho
a assem- crew on the forward deck, In
every one, from the srimy hreroom
gang men to the men OF the upper
d tse b,u as has spent The evenings at
snapshot pictures by officers and men.
re mas read the ships paper daily with
nightly mafins picture shows.
Invitations from Europe have been
SSU ,i lss IN iarge numbers by wireless,
in declining them and trying to cut
DOWN the number of official functions
arranged Tor him TO a minimum. He
has sumaarily rejected all invitations
which might be liable to be construed
as meaning that he is on a pleasure
II is said that President Wilson feels
he cannot forego visit to the Amer
lean troops a. the front or visit to
the devastated regions of France. and
mat he intends TO crowd such visits
INFO ms absence from Paris up to jan
Gary D. when the peace conference gets
down TO business. During the succeed
ing SIX months ne will conduct his
daily business at the Murat palace, the
same as at the White House. sur
rounded by his clerks, stenographers
and attendants.
PRESIDENTS LAST DAY
On OUTWARD VOYAGE
by Wireless to Associated rress1
ON BOARD THE L. $. :. GEORGE
WASHINGTON. Thursday December
12.-The Presidents ship tonight was