The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-12-06
WILSON OFF TO EUROPE
PRESIDENTIAL PARTY SAILED
AWAY THIS MORNING
No Ser nal Incident Marked
Dep; 4 e of Executive and
3 ice Delegates
led Press DisDatch.J

| freS4 anu MIS-. wilson SLdndlnS
on s dge the George Washing
ton S. moved away from the
pier- oboken today bearing the
president on his most momentous
trip to the greatest ard most far
reaching peace conference in the
history of the world. The president
and his party reached Hobcken pier
on special train at 7:2G o'clock this
morning, coming direct from Wash
ington.
President Wilson and his wife
boarded the ship, followed by other
members of the party at eight
o'clock. They breakfasteL on board
the G~o"ee Washington. All the mil
itary docks at Hoboken were closely
! patrol'ed by city police and military
| guardSmen. Arrangements had been
made so that the president Was able
to step directly from his train into
the elevator at The wharf, was lifted
to the upper dock and boarded the
George Washington without being
seen from the shore.
Not Exposed to Public.
| At no time was the president or
Mrs. Wilson exposed 10 public view.
A detachment of marines were
se-t to the dock as Q special guard
of honor. Police boats patrollcd the
North river and everv possible pre-
caution was taken to safeguard the
chief executive.
| President and Mrs. Wilson were
the first to leave the train AS he
stepned into the elevator shaft the
| president WARMLY shook hands with
| Brieadier General McManus who had
I, been in charge of the train on the
| trip There was not a cheer as the
| chief executive stepped into view on
the gansway as there were no civil
| lians who were able to see him. The
nearest outsiders to the ship were
group of longshoremen more than
| block away. Crowds had turned out
! early in the morning to see the party
board the George Washington but
| they had been kept we'll away from
| the vicinity by secret service men.
Infantry Troops Presented Arms.
| AS he stepped into view of the in
| fantry troops on guard presented
arms in honor OF the president and
as he walked out on the gangplank
the 18th infantry band struck up the
"Star Spangled Banner" President
Wilson halted instantly and snapped
his hand to salute The other mem
bers of the party did likewise.
Rear Admiral Grayson. private
physician to the president, Secretary
Tumultv and Mrs. Wilson's secre-
tarv followed President and Mrs.
Wilson on board the steamer. Sec
rotary of State Robert Lansing ap
peared 18th Mrs. Lansing next and
as he stepped on the gangplank the
infantry guards again snapped their
pieces to a stiff present arms" A
few minutes later all members of the
party left the train and boarded the
George Washington.
The morning was misty and over
cast with q forecast of rain. The
, sea was running smooth however and
1t looked as though the president
would have fine weather. at least on
the first lap of his momentous jour-
ney.
BattIeship in Waiting.
Just off Staten Island the battle
ship Pennsylvania, with Admiral
MAYO in command, lay in waiting,
ready to lend the other battleships
that are to escort the George Wash
ington to Brest. Only the Pennsyl-
vania and five other destroyers, the
Wisks. Woolsey, Tarbell, Lea and
the Yarwell, will make the entire
trip to France. Captain VI. Milron is
in command of the Pennsylvania and
Admiral Mayo will have charge Of
the conveying squadron.
Secretary Tumulty left the presi-
dent and party shortly after they
boarded the George Washington. He
will have charge of the affairs of
the presidents office during the time
the chief executive is away. Other
members of the party, in addition to
the Present and Mrs. Wilson were
the presidents private stenographer
and Mrs. Wilson's secretary, Miss
Edith Benham, Secretary Lansing
and wife. Rear Admiral Grayson,
Henry White and the military at
tachees together with a number of
secret service men.
Red Cross nurses and Y. M. c. A.
workers also occupied place on the
George Washington In the hold of
the vessel were stored large supplies
of Christmas presents for the soldiers.
Captain Edward McCauley command
ed the George Washington. He is
regular United States navy officer.
President in High Spirits.
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.1
New York, December 4-President
Wilson sailed with his party for the
peace conference on the transport
George Washington. He got under
way at 1915 a. m. The president
was in high spirits. The party in
cluded. Secretary Lansing and Hen
ry White, members of the peace del
egation. President and Mrs. Wilson
stood on the flying bridge as the
steamer swung into North river. The
band played "Over There"
With the presidents departure it
was learned that Secretary Tumulty
was anxious to go but yielded to the
wishes of the president. {
Extraordinary secret service pre-
cautions were taken on the trip from
Washington. Two hundred secret
service experts examined the trans
port and the loyalty of every man
aboard was proved.
George. Creel did not go abroad
Continued On rage Two)