The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-04
FACING THE KEENEST
DIPLOMA TIC DUELMG
PRESIDENTIAL YES

Pratt, assistant chie1 OF naval opera
tions, has been acting head of the bu-
Admiral Benson.
The state department delegation to
the conference Included Philip Patch
in and Leland Harrison, assistants to
the secretary of the commission, Jos.
Grew. already over there; James
Browne Scott and David Hunter Mil
Ter, technical advisers in international
law. Prest. s. Z. Mezes of the College
of the City of New York. who will
head the special assistants in certain
lines who will aid the mission, William
McNair. disbursing officer, and S. Y.
Smith. draughting officer.
The war department delegation OF
assistants headed by Generals Norman
and Churchill, is either already In
France or en- route.
More than a score of experts Joined
the peace ship here. Led by DR.. s. +.
Mezes, of the College of the City OF
New York, they comprised college pro-
fessors and others noted in interna-
tional law. history, economics and
other topics vital to the conference.
They had collected tons of documents,
including maps and business data in
recent months labors.
President Wilson and his party
boarded a special train at Washington
at 1915 Tuesday night. Mrs. Wilson,
dressed in a smart dark tailored suit
with a three cornered hat, was almost
hidden behind a huge bouquet of chrys-
anthemums. The president, doffing
his soft hat smiled acknowledgements
of the crowds cheers OF good luck"
At the station gathered many men,
bers of the diplomatic corps and al.
lied military missions.
The president and Mrs. Wilson were
the first to leave the train. A platoon
of infantry presented arms. Then the
president shook hands with Brigadier
ION NJ
officers and entered the shed leading
to the steamer gangways. Not cheer
was raised, as no civilians were in.
sight. everything being strictly. mill
tary.
The special train shut the president
off from view of a crowd of long
shoremen in the street. outside the
heavily guarded fence. These long
shoremen, employed near the military
piers. were the only outsiders allowed
V thin more than block of the
George Washington's wharf
AS the president and Mrs. Wilson
started to walk toward the gangway.
the Thirteenth infantry band struck up
the Star Spangled Banner. The presi-
dent halted instantly and brought his
hat to salute. Every man stood stiffly
at attention.
After the president was safely
aboard. Rear Admiral Grayson, Presi-
Wilson's secretary left the train and
went on the steamer. Secretary of
State Lansing and the French am
bassador, with their wives. next ap-
peared. There was a sharp command
and the troops again snapped their
arms to the present"
A few minutes 1ater all remaining
members of the party left the special
train and flocked aboard the George
Washington, which was due to sail at
his-. tide, about 10 a. m.
1t was a misty morning with q
slightly overcast sky and rain pre-
dfcted. The breeze was light and it
looked as If the president would have
q snAoth sea for the start of his mo-
mentous voyage.
Secretary Tumulty was with the
president when they reached Hoboken,
but he will return to Washington.
Others in the party booked thru to
ambassadors of France, Italy and Bel
GUM; Mrs. Wilson and her secretary,
Miss Edith Benham; Secretary of
State Lansing and Mrs. Lansing; Rear
Admiral Grayson, the presidents
physician; Henry White, a member of
military staff of the peace commission
and secret service men. Red Cross
nurses and Y. M. c. A. workers also
were passengers on the George WASH
ington, which was commanded by
Capt. Edward McCauley, U. S. N.
Christmas Mail, Too!
Christmas mail for the American
soldiers was in the holds.
The George Washington is Of 25,570
tons and was formerly a North Ger
man Lloyd liner. She has been used
as a troop ship, but her handsome fit
tings have been restored in that por-
ton of the ship occupied by the presi-
dent and his party.