The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-23

FINAL AGREEMENT
NEARLYCOMPLET
CONTINUED From First PaEs.l

he shook hands individually and talked
with 200 badly wounded Americans,
for the most part survivors OF the
more than four hours in the hospital,
visiting every ward, and stopping at
every bedside. Later he visited the
French hospital Val de Grace,
Speaking OF his experience at the
American hospital, the president said.
81 went through the American hos
pital at Neuilly with the greatest in
terest and the greatest satisfaction. l
found the men admirably taken care Of
and almost without exception in excel
lent spirits,
really i'll, and | think hat their moth
ers and their friends would have been
entirely pleased by their surroundings
and by the alert look in their ayes and
the keen interest they took in every
thing about them.
u am sure that they will 80 back to
feeling Of joy, alike in their recovery
and in the fine service they have been
able to render"
Going to the American hospital with
the expectation Of staying an hour, the
president found four hours all too short,
as he felt that he could not leave with
out speaking with every man and he
expressed regret only Of his inability to
clasp the hand Of every American SOL
der in France.
The president looked tired and worn
when the ordeal was finished, for, not
outstanding the cheerfulness OF the
men and the care which they were re-
ceiving there we're many affecting cases
in the wards.
When he came to one very badly
wounded the president sat on the edge
of the cot for a moment and asked
where he was from, and where he had
been wounded, He admired his war
many of his wounds were In the leg,
the president asked: why have we
here no men wounded in h upper
part Of the body?'
MEN who are wounded above the
waist are not here; they have gone on"
Sees Old Friend.
one OF the men the president came
to stood proudly erect with medals on
his blouse and one arm outstretched in
an appliance for restoring its useful
ness. He, looked suggestively like a
traffic policeman on duty,
I'm glad to see you look so cheer
full, said the president.
You have seen me many times be-
fore, Mr.. President responded the SOL
der. II used to be a traffic policeman
at tne bTdUu central station. ION I
you think | look na~tural?"
I'he president laughed softly. II
probably vas the only merry moment
he had in the hospital. Another strap
ping fellow gave his name as Private
Wilson.
Il am proud to know ! have a name
sake like you" said the president.
at is a very honorable name, | only
tried to do 1t proud" responded the
soldier.
one soldier had lost both legs by q
shell II am thankful they didn't get
an arm" he said cheerfully.
The president abstained from attend
ance at church in order to make the
visit. He was accompanied by Mrs
Wilson and Rear Admiral Graysou and
was met at the entrance by the com.
mandant and his staff. But he made
1t plain that he wished no ceremony,
"a just want to go In and visit the
boys and have a chat with them" he
said.
beginning with the first ward, the
president went down one side of this
room and Mrs. Wilson the other. stop.
ping to chat here and there with the
wounded and grasp a hand for a mo.
ment or say a word OF cheer and en-.
couragenent. The president himself
where It vas possible, took the hand
Of every man, saying; 1--WE hope e
have you back soon with u.s." or "l
wish you the best of luck and a speedy
recovery"