Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-27
OVATION IS ALMOST
WITHOUT PRECEDENT
i'm BRITISH CAPITAL
American Executive DeliX-
ers Brief Address to
4 Wounded Soldiers.
| Mr.. AND MRS. WILSON GUESTS
OF KING GEORGE AND QUEEN
Hundreds of Thousands of Lon-
doners Throng About Buck
| ingham Palace. -.
GET SPONTANEOUS OvATIOS
Streets Are Jammcd on Way Prom
Statio:- to Royal Resi-
dcnce.
GET SPONTANEOUS OVATION
Ipy Associated Press.

LONDON, December 26-The great
moment Of President Wilson'S first day
in England was when he stood with
the King and Queen and Mrs. Wilson
in the balcony OF Buckingham Palace
to-day, facing multitude which
stretched down the Mall to the Ad-
miralty. half mile distant. and over
flowed st. James's Park OH one side
and Green Park on the other.
Only 4 corporal's guard could hear
the Presidents brief speech, but the
people who had demanded that he
more clamorous than any other guest
of the nation has comma anded within
The days events constitute a trthute
to the President and the United states
which VIII be historic. The official
corporation and the navy: the welcome
at the station by the royal family,
and the chief officials OF the empire.
@ heart OF o coio9ed ie1edn Will
touches of medieval pageantry, everSto
the Tower. bearing halberds. whichashe
British people cherish. That the Esli-
.rsl f,g9rs Of the royal
shaaid be eiviiiam SSssRis @ssrins 4''St 6Iass
coat and SILK hat gaze a favor OF noY-
But the assembling of the people
was spontaneous. That was the chief5
ply locked in from NIL quarters afoot.
1t % was sathering % principally 'i OF the
plain people; the Others were In tile
GGun.ry Giysra for the holidays, It wasss
rs few capitals can muster. withysTi
large lar eIsmen. of soldiers. among W hon
conspicuous and popular.
onrse The Regularity 9, the King and
tiOn given them while on hni
to meet the President. Every one
agreed that London has never known
great national days. wnen the British
people have celebrated the inaugural
Of new reign or milestone in the
ALMosT UNPRECEDENTED5
1t IS estimated that 100000 peupte-
through Whch Vii we the mas state D prosess ssssass
passed. These were canopied with
iiags and bunting. and amid the thun i
ident Of the United states receiveds,a
popular welcome almost unpreccntcd
in history. S3is,5
tumul,uous greeting accorded during
the ceremonial drive to Buckin glfaIir
King and Queen. Some 100000 pesa
pie, completely filing the huge sent
palace, cheered incessantly until half
an hour after the Presidents arrival,
sids WGsn ,h he 4 KappeareG on the eaIsonS bs
the Queen. who waved a small Ameri-s.
can nag: Mrs. Wilson. who carried u
Duke of ConnauGht. So prolonged aid
Intense was the cheering that the
nresdsnt, hs LEI + showing Nv nj grea. emotion
London for their great welcome.
v When king George shook hands with
SCenden -
am very glad to greet you TO
England"
Il am very happy to come" the Pres.
ident replied. srs.
ENGLISH COUNTRYFOLK e&
GATHER ALONG RAILWAY
English countryfolk gathered an
al9hnG al, h,s \, the =, ,railway from Dover TO- The
Wilson's train so by to-day. They sat
ON FENCES and clustered on tree tops
a glimpse of the train. They waved
and cheered as the train went by
at sixty miles an hour
direct from hospitals who were per-
mitted inside the gates and stood near
est to the balcony; cheered the Presi-
ly to them that he addressed himself
He said he would like to make a speech y
to express his appreciation OF the vol.
impossible on account of the noise.
He wanted to tell them, however. he
SAID. tnat his heart was filled with
gratitude.
Mrs. Wilson. who stood beside the
President, waved Union Jack" while
the British Queen held the Stars and
Stripes high in the air, while American
soldiers climbed the ten-foot iron fence
of the palace, waving American flags,
amid thunderous cheers. The Prestt
dent remained on tho balcony fourls
minutes. On his left stood King
George. on his right Mrs. Wilson and
beside, her Queen Mary. 5le7
CROWDS BEGIN TO CHEER ,5s.s;
AS PRESIDENT ENTE:is
AS soon as President Wilson and sffIs
party entered Buckingham Palace Ttfs:
crowds outside. including severnl hun. b
dred wounded soldiers in the palace
yard, began cheering. Then CAME 4
shouts OF We want Wilson! We want.
wilson, .j - !
In response the President and Mys,F
Wilson. together with King George b
and Queen Mary, soon appeared on tHess
second floor OF tile balcony Their au,8
pearanco was tho signal for renewed
cheering, and the crowd, especially tf,s y
speech. lfal' = & ~ -
President Wilson laughed and wayeSs Z
his hand, Indicating thar he wouIG Z
rather not sneak. Mrs. Wilson ~ A. ssi 2
small Union Jack. The crowd. HSss.s