Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-12-04

even before the George Washington
got out to sea-
With the Transports departure to-
day II was disclosed that Secretary
Tumulty had been very anxious to
accompany the President, but that
he sacrificed this desire by yield
ing to the wishes of the President,
who believed Mr.. Tumulty's pres
ence was needed in Washington
On the train trip from Washing
ton extraordinary precautions were
taken by the secret service. Cap
tain John j. Henry and his entire
Washington staff accompanied the
President. Meanwhile two hundred
secret service experts had thorough
ly examined the George Washington
and the loyalty of every officer and
seaman on board was absolutely
proved. After the President step
ped aboard, the ship virtually was
sealed, even army officers of high
rank being barred. George Creel,
chairman of the committee on pub
lie information, who did not go
aboard at the time the President
did, was obliged to exert official
pressure in order to be allowed to
go aboard.
Many NOtablcs
The George Washington carries
many noted persons on this voyage.
Besides the President, they include
Secretary Lansing and Henry White,
former ambassador to France and
Italy, who with Colonel L. M. House
and General Tasker II. Bliss, both
already in Europe. and the Presi-
dent, constitute Americas delega-
tion to the peace conference; Rear
Admiral II, II. Knapp and Captain
William W Pratt, who will report to
Admiral Benson, naval representa-
tive now. with Colonel House on the
peace missions as the admiral's as
sistants; Rear Admiral Cary II
Grayson, the Presidents physician;
Gilbert T. Close, confidential clerk
to the President; Brigadier General
w. H. Harts, former aid to the
President. who will command the
military aids and messengers at the
conference; Brigadier General
Churchill, chief of military intelli-
gence division; Raymond d. Fos-
dick, chairman of the commission
on training camp activities, who will
direct weharework for the War
Department among American SOL
diers in France, twenty-three mem
bers of the peace information COM
mission headed by Colonel House
and Mr.. Creel.
John w. Davis, newly-appointed
ambassador to Great Britain, with
Mrs. Davis, and the French and Ital-
ian ambassadors, with their fami-
lies, also were on the passenger
list.
Police Maintain Vigil
The usual oarred zone was widely
| extended and only those armedNwith
special passes were allowed to ap-
proach the streets leading to the
dock. Military police kept an all
night vigil over the route from the
railroad staten TO the pier, while
hundreds of agents of the secret
service and of the army and navy
intelligence services watched tile side
streets and kept inquisitive persons
on the move. War vessels kept Il
ceaseless patrol of the waters near
the transport while at dawn army
airplanes circled over the vicin-
ity and kept u watch from the air.
Perhaps never before have such
elaborate plans been mapped out to
guard the President
Long Pier Mass of Color
The long pier was gaily decorated
with thousands of flags and bunting
a canopy, consisting of a mass of
American flags and -embl ems cf the
Allies extended over tho gangplank.
Stewards and their assistants
worked wei Into the night Complet-
ing their arrangements for the COM
font of the party. Photographs were
installed in the gentlemen's sl1ok-
ing room and the ladies lounging
room, the records ranging all the
way from grand opera selections to
popular war songs and jazz band
music. Half a dozen card tables were
nailed to the floor of the smoking
room, while the library was re-
plenished with historical and scien-
tific books.
The gymnasiume was refurnished
with punching bags, rowing ma
chimes, horses" and other athletic
equipment.
Two brass bands made the trip
the Kensington (Kansas) band, and
the Sailors Great Lakes Station
band, these organizations having
been selected from among a score
that offered their services.
Paintings of George and Martha
Washington occupied the space in
the salon formerly taken up by a
large painting of the German en-
peror.
Washington, Dec. 4.-Washington
last night knew the President was
leaving the city, and the arrange