Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-13
War Ships and Forts
Belch Welcome to.
Americas Chief.
HE STEPS ONFRENCHSOu.
| AT 3:24O'CLOCK TODAY
Leave. for PAR. at 4 0ussk
After Ceremonies Are Tsusnii-s. ;.
mated at Bred.
By the Associated Press.

AessV ~ Oa0ee
---::-.ss,:.t a.
By the Associated Press. -
BREST, December 13.-PreaideuS
Wilson reached the harbor Of Rrest On
board the steamer George Washington
at O'Clock this afternoon and pre-.
cisely at 1924 o'clock stepped On ras6s0
tho first time an American Presideue
had trod European soil. President Wiz
son will leave for Paris at 4 o'clnck
this afternoon.
Tho arrival Of the President In tie
harbor was the elimination of an
imposing naval spectacle, which b.
gan as the presidential feet rounded
the outer capes. then passed the an
trance forts and moved majestteally
into the harbor. where the 4obrge
Washington anchored at the head pf
long double column of AmefiehA
dreadnaughts and destroyers and tke
units OF a French cruiser squadroH.e
Fleet Sighted at 11.30 AN. ~
The presidential fleet was nEst
sighted at 1880 o'clock this morning
fifteen miles OF shore. The sea wits
landward under skies which wAfe
steadily Frightening after dark ana
gloomy morning. IL
1t was more than an hour 1aEer
that the ships were signaled at the
entrance of the harbor, and great
~A
as the cloud of black smoke shGwed
that the presidential fleet was near.
Ahead came single DESTROYER.
showing the way to the feet, and
close behind loomed the huge bulk
Of the battleships Pennsylvania and
Wyoming. flying. respectively. the
flags Of Admiral Mayo. commander Of
the Atlantic feet, and Vice Admiral
Sims, commander OF the American
naval forces In European waters.
Flanked by Warships.
Just back Of them moved the George
Washington. bearing the President
hanked on either side by the battle
ships Arkansas, Florida, Utah. No
vada, Oklahoma. New York. Texas and
Arizona, by French cruisers and bxsA
great f1otflla of American and French
torpedo boat destroyers.
The entrance to the harbor is a mar
row strait, a mile wide. with forts
crowning the towering cliffs on each
side. Through this avenue the impos-
ing pageant moved, each of the ten
forts contributing its cannonade and
the ten American battleships answer
ing gun for gun.
Take Up Thunderous Salute.
As the fleet neared the inner har-
sembled war craft took up the thun-
derous salute, while the quays. the
hills and the terraces of the old Bre-
ton city rang with cheers from the
enthusiastic multitudes. At the same
time all the war craft. merchantmen
and transorts dressed ship and maV-
ned the yards, and the strains Of the
American anthem foated over the
water, mingling with the roar OF the
guns and the shouts of the vast
crowds.
The George Washington came to
anchor a mile off shore, while the
battleship ranged themselves in dou.
BILE column on either side.
President Wilson Witnessed the
spectacle from the deck of his ship.
waving greetings and acknowledge
ments as the cheering throng ashore
worlds first tribute to the Americas
President.
Welcoming ofhcials Board.
Soon after the arrival Of the presi-
Dental deet Stephen Pichon, the
French foreign minister, and George
Leygues. the minister sf marine.who
were at Brest to meet the President
on behalf of the French government.
boarded the George Washington to
extend their first greetings. Amert-
car officials also went on board to
make the arrangements for the land
panied by Miss Margaret Wilson, the
Presidents eldest daughter.
Leaves Ship With Mrs. Wilson.
There was another thunderfug can.
nonade as the Presidents launch laft
the George Washington and landed
at pier No. 3. He was escorted to the
tribune amid cheers and salvos and
the notes Of The Star Spangied Ban-
ner."
Mrs. Wilson, who carried an American
nag and q bouquet
Mayor Goude's Greeting. !; ~:
Mayor Goude Of Brest. in. grsettng
President Wilson as he LANDED A4fff
"Mr. President: feel ths aS31tA
emotion in presenting to you the well
come Of the Breton population. The
ship bringing you to this port ls the
symbol under the auspices OK Ehteh
the legions of your pacific cttikens
sprang to arms in the grand cause
of independence. Under the sahss Skus-'
pices today you bring to the tor.
mented soil Of Europe the comfort ~
your authorized voice in the debates
which will calm our quarrels.
"Mr. President. upon this Breton
soil our hearts are unanimous In -.
luting you as the messenger Of justice
and peace. Tomorrow it will be our
entire nation which will acclaim yen
and our whole people will thrill with
enthusiasm over the eminent stateo-
mar who IL the champion Of thsir
aspirations toward justice and liberty.
aThis old Breton city has the hoIasr
Of first saluting you. In order IN
peruetuate this honor to our de-
scendants the municipal council has
asked me to present you with an
address expressing their Joy at being
privileged to incline themselves be-
fore the u.ustriouS democrat whe
nresfdas over the destinies of the
ereat republic Of the United States"
Address OF Council.
The mayor then presented. the efis
crossed address Of the council. which
.Reiny the first to welcome tAe
president Of the EuttAd ,Hta&Gn -
RrauAa - RuonocEfUI{y 1n&D&&r f&D