Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-25
CHAUMONT GREETS
THE PRESIDENT ON
F|RSTLEG0 Of TRIP
Will Take Christmas Dinner
With U. S. Soldiers and
Review Them.
TO CROSS THE CHANNEL
! TOMORROW MORNING
Doubt as to Peace Conferences
Starting Till February May
DisaErange His Plans.

Ey the Associated Press.
CHAUMONT, December 25.-
President Wilson reached here from
Paris early this morning for his
Christmas day visit to the American
troops. His train was held outside
the town for a time to accord with
the program of the local officials.
At 9 o'clock he entered Chaumont,
as had been arranged.
In Luck as to Weather.
The President played in luck again
on the weather, for while it seemed
to the visiting party to be cold and
bleak, and rain was apparently threat
ening, the American troops at head
quarters declared the day was really
a fine one for this region at this sea-
son.
A guard of French and American
troops received the President at the
station. Gen. Pershing greeted him
mayor and the prefect. There was a
reception at the city nall.
The Presidents first contact with
the American Army in the field quar-
ters was when he found a soldier on
guard outside his car. The strapping
fellow who had been assigned for this
duty saluted the President. who wish
ed him merry Christmas and made
him the proudest soldier in France.
All along the latter part of the route
into Chaumont, which was traversed
by daylight. the troops were clustered
on locomotives in the yards, on top
of box cars. on tree tops and on every
point of vantage. waiting to get a
glimpse of their commander-in-chief
and shout him merry Christmas.
PARIS, December "a (by the Asso-
ciated Press).-President Wilson left
Paris tonight for a weeks trip,
which will take him to American
to England. He was accompanied by
Mrs. Wilson. Rear Admiral Grayson
and a small party.
L'Intransigeant, describing Presi-
dent Wilson's shopping tour with
Mrs. Wilson, says that the couple
while strolling through the crowded
shopping center yesterday lost their
way and asked two little boys where
they were. The lads gave the needed
information and then one of them.
doffing his cap. astonished the Presi-
dent, by asking. Might one shake
hands with Monsieur lie President? ~
The President shook hands with both
boys heartily, and wished them a
merry Christmas before proceeding
on his way.
Has Taxicab Ordeal.
After calling upon Premier Cemen-
ceau the President had his first ex-
perienoe with Partisan taxi drivers
He went downtown to continue his
shopping. intending to walk home, but
rain set in and he was obliged to call
d. cab or taxi, which in the present
crowded condition of the capital is a
complicated and often an exaSperat-
ing experience, cabmen and taxi
situation. President Wilson, however
though unrecognized, got through the
ordeal without difficulty.
Late this afternoon President Wilson
conferred with members of the Amer
lean Shipping Board, and then called
upon Premier Clemenceau to say that
he was going away for a week.
Mrs. Wilson went downtown during
the day to purchase store cakes and
candy which she sent for distribution
among Partisan orphan asylums.
Mrs. Wilson today made personal
and official Christmas calls, leaving
the Presidents cards.
The members of the American peace
delegation will take a Christmas holi-
DAY. Secretary Lansing will visit his
TWO sisters, who have been doing wal
work at the front.
To Be Guest of Pershing.
The President will spend twelve
hours in the Chaumont region, where
lie will take Christmas dinner with
the men at their mess and review
10000 American soldiers. Later he
viii inspect the billets in several OF
the villages. and. returning to Chau.
1uont, will be the guest of Gen. Perish
ing and his staff.
The President will leave American
evening for Calais, and on Thursday
lHorning will embark for England.
With his return to Paris from Eng
land on New Year the President hopes
the most necessary preliminary or.
:canization work OF the American com.
mission will be completed.
The coming of German delegates is
still in an indefinite stage. While the
question of Russian representation
has gone no further than some in
1ormal discussions between the Amer
Han commissioners and prominent
DIssians here. Doubts are being ex-
pressed by some diplomatiStS that
;he conference actually can begin
work the first week of January, as
expected. Some of them are inclined
TO think that the first meeting nigh,
rot be held until February.
Plans May Be Disarranged.
In that event the Presidents plans
would be somewhat disarranged, be-
cause he has been planning to return
10 the United States before February
} with a good deal accomplished. in
= preliminary way at least. The
President will be ready to return to
Europe during the spring, but hopes
that this may not be necessary.
President Wilson's last official en-
~. SacnpI