Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-04
Departure of the Nations
Chief on Mission Beau
tiful Spectacle.

New York, Dec Woodrow
Wilson. president OF the Tnitcd
states, sailed today for Europe
10 participate as one Of five
Representatives of the United
States 10 the peace conference
Ia be held In France. The
transport George Washington
got under way at l0;l5 "A. nj.
The presidents pnriy In
cluded two other members nf
the American delegation; See
retary of State Robert lansing
and Henry White, former am
BassadOr to France and Italy.
Colonel f. VI. House and GEN
rral Tasker III. Bliss, the other
two members, are already IN
Europe.
As the George Washington swung
into the North river on voyage
unprecedented in American history,
President and Mrs. Wilson stood on
the flying bridge, the highest point
to which passengers could climb.
An army band on the shore played
"Oyer There"
Guns Thunder Salute.
With the president waving lis
hat to cheering throngs aboard
river craft which crowded nearby
waters, the George Washington
turned her head toward the sea
shortly after 1920. .Q.SllGk---As..t .the
big finer straightened Ker course
the presidents salute OF 81 guns
thundered from the transport 3
guns which during more than a
year OF war had served to defend
thousands of American soldiers
from German submarine attacks
The big ship backed more than
half way across the river before she
turned and when two destroyers
and a naval tug took her in escort
for the trip down the bay, the man
euver was witnessed by n multi
tude of persons crowding roofs
and upper windows of New York
sky scrapers and piers on both
sides of the Hudson
Tug Clears Path.
The tug took a position directly
ahead of the George Washington,
stopping all cross-stream traffic
ana clearing a path toward quaran-
tine, while the destroyers ranged
along either side.
AS the feet started down the bay
squadron of airplanes dropped
from the clouds and executed a
series of daring loops above the
presidents ship.
The liner and its convoy moved
toward the sea with the George
Washington band playing martial
airs and with harbor craft of all
types. including many allied mer-
chant ships dipping flags and toot-
ing whistles in salute to the depart
ing chief executive.
Shore Black With People.
Of Staten island, whose shores
were black with throngs which had
waited since early morning TO wit
ness a breaking spectacle
in American history, the George
Washington met its ocean mate on
the trip, the dreadnaught Pennsyl-
vania, and other vessels.
The squadron passed through the
gate in the submarine net which
stretches across the Narrows and
within 800 feet Of the Staten island
shore. a group of several hundred
school children was transformed at
a word Of command, into a sea OF
waving flags.
The presidential feet passed
quarantine at II O'Clock, the Penn
sylvania leading, and the destroy
ers deployed on either side and in
the wake Of the transport.
Gunboats in the lower bay fred
salvos in salute.
Airplane Leads Way To Sea.
As the squadron steamed out TO
sea single airplane, travelling
only 50 feet above the water. could
be seen leading the way toward the
eastern horizon.
viii Fight Militnrism.
Prior to President Wilson's de-
parture today for Europe 10 attend
the peace conference, It became
known that he goes determined
against mllitarlsm IN any form,
The crushing Of prusslaE militar-
ism was only n part OF his plan
for the future peace OF the whole
world. the president declares. Ac-
cording TO persons who conferred
with Tim On the transport George
before IL sailed
President Wilson's special train
arrived at Hoboken at 7;3O a. m.
today
Between the spur OF track on
which the train drew up IL the en-
trance to the pier and the North
river terminus OF tho pier. an area
way of American flags had been
erected A the president stepped
from the train and shook hands
with General G.. II McManuA.
bugles and drums sounded and ar
army band played The star Span