The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1918-12-11
Goes in Interest of World
Peace
Conveyed BY
FIGHTING SHIPS

Greatest Demonstration In History of
= New York When Presidents Party
Stcams Out from New York HarbGr.
Conveyed by superintendent
Pennsylvania and Quintet Of Torpc.
dO-BOat DestrOyers.
New York Dec. 4-Bound on a mis-
sion, the principal objects of which are
the abolition Of militarism and the at
tainment Of just world peace, Wood |
row Wilson, the first president
Of the United States to visit Europe
while in office, vas tonight speed
ing across the Atlantic toward France
to attend the greatest international
conference in history.
On the transport George Washing
ton, one time German passenger liner,
manned by a naval convoy crew and
deck guns ready for action and accom-
panied by navy convoy, the Dresi-
dent left New York harbor today amid
demonstration without parallel in
the history of the port.
The president took his place on the
flying bridge as the great ship moved
down the hay. River craft and ships
of many nation dipped flags and toot-
ed whistles and thousands Of persons
badc him God-spccd in cheers and flag
wavings from skyscrapers and piers.
OFF quarantine, where Staten Island
throngs waved and shouted a second
farewell and monitors, gunboats and
artillcrymen at Fort Hamilton joined
in saluting gunflre, the George Wash
ington met its ocean cnvoy--thc su-
perdrcadnaught Pennsylvania and q
quintet OF dcstroyers. With her OFF,
cial consort and ten other destrOyers
which Joined the fleet for a cruise to
the limit Of American territorial wa
tcrs, the George Washington disappear
cd over the eastern horizon shortly
after noon.
Mr.. Wilson left his native shores
according to persons who conferred
with him before the George Washing
ton sailed, determined against mlitar-
ism in any form. He feels that tho
crushing of Prussian militarism is part
of his plan for the future peace OF tho
world, these informants said.
Greeted by Returning Soldiers.
In emphasis, 1t seemed, Of America
part in bringing about Germans down
fall, the presidential party, outbound
met some of the Americn hosts re
turning from overseas.
Two thousand homecoming aviation
troops on the Lapland chcered tn
George Washington as she left he
pier, and outside quarantine the Min
nekahda was sighted, steaming up tn
harbor with more than 5000 soldier
as passengers.
peace sQadron Is heading, 1t Is IN
derstood, for Brcst, an American dc
Darkation port in France. It's date
arrival is uncertain but a quick pas
sage Is not required, as ample tim
remain for conferences preliminary
the main peace assemblage. or tn
French coast the president Will /
welcomed by a sqadron OF America
Marships. British French and Italia
ships, also, 1t Is said, will join In II
greeting at sea, which will be follow
ed by q succession Of official cerem
MES marking the passing Of the Anne
lean executive to Paris, to the W;
front and presumably to the capita
OF Great Britain, Belgium and 1tal
Presidential Party
The liners passenger list contai
group Of prominent names, probab
without parallel for any single voya
in the annals Of shipping.
with the president are two Of |
fellow delegates to the peace conft
ence, Secretary Of State Robert La
sing, and Henry White, former ambt
sador to France and Italy, who W
ioin Col. h. NJ. House and General T.;
ker Fl. Bliss, already in Europe.
Guests Of the enief Sa;' G
cluded the French and Italian amb
sadors, John w. Davis, newly appoi
ed ambassador to Great Britain. HI
naval and military authorities, rep
sentatives OF various government
partments and staff Of specialists
advise the American peace commiss
on problems Of political, economic