New-York tribune., 1918-12-04

they precede the armada down the bay
in boats of their own.
So complete was the secrecy that
surrounded the arrangements for the
Presidents reparture, no official at
Hoboken would name the hour of the
expected arrival or the time of the
departure. 1t remained for those un-
officially informed of the schedule of
events to make them public.
Ten o'clock has been set as the hour
for cutting loose from the old Ham
burg American line docks At that
time the Pennsylvania, under Vice Ad- ,
miral H. T. Mayo, with the five de
stroyers, will be under steam farther
down the harbor, ready to Join the
George Washington.
1t is probable that the Presidential
fleet will make an average Of eighteen
knots an hour on the Atlantic voyage.
The former German passenger ship was
not selected for speed. but rather for
the comfort of its occupants. The
$4,000 expended in preparing it for
its present purposes was used with the
idea of providing this comfort rather
than luxurious appearance.
Changes in Furnishings
One significant change has been made
in the inner furnishings of the ship
in preparation for its new uses. The
bueo ,oirt;rcy Of fba Eoi
ser, which formerly hung at the head
of the main staircase, has been re-
moved and, according to one report,
dropped into the Hudson. In its place
have been placed two paintings, one of
George Washington, the other of Mar
tha Washington.
All the other decorations of the ship
have been restored to their original
form. The paintings that once hung
in the smoking rooms-not considered
essential to the comfort of the soldiers,
who have been Che sole passengers on
the boat for more than a year-have
been returned to their former positions
on the wall. A great log fire Will be
found at one end fthe same cabin,
while lon library table, arranged to
provide resting place for the maps
that have been the Presidents constant
companions for months, ornaments the
centre of the cabin.
Gun Crews on Job
The liner will be brightly lighted at
night, as are all deep water craft dur
ing the present days of an armistice
ever, that the guns with which the
craft is provided, both fore and aft,
will be manned by prize gun crews
from the time she leaves the New York
harbor until she ties up at her docks
at Cherbourg
Moreover, the ePnnsylvania, with its
formidable armament of fourteen-inch
guns, and the destroyers with their
lighter weapons, will be within easy
reach of the Presidential ship through
out the voyage. The liner will sail in
peace time schedule, but with every
war time protection.
One of the features of the ship that
has been given careful attention is the
gymnasium. 1t has been intended that
practically every facility that has been
enjoyed by the President and his party
during their hours of leisure on shore
will be offered them during their voy-
age. Boxing, golf and other amuse-
ments have been provided. Captain
Crowley, who claims to be more al
home on his eighteen-hole course thar
on those to be found ashore, is par
ticularly anxious to introduce the
PRESIDENT to the attractions of this ma
rine sport.
To Occupy Imperial Suite
President and Mrs. Wilson will oc
cupy what once was the imperial suite
on the George Washington This is OF
the c deck, looking out upon the glass
inclosed promenade deck. The Presi
dents cabin is done in a soft gray
while Mrs. Wilson's is in a more femi
nine pink. The President has been pro
vided with q telephone, which through
a switchboard connection in the purs
er's Office will permit him to commu
nicate with all the members of hi
party from his study.
Although the menace of German sub
marines has been removed by the sign
ing OF the ar1ristice, the sea is far fror
safe for indiscriminate travel. Mine
still are found and exploded by tn
sweepers that are being used in an eff
fort to return the ocean lanes to some
thing approaching their pre-war con
ditions
Flagship to Lead Fleet
II For that reason Admiral Mavo
flagship, the Pennsylvania, will ee
well in the lead of the fleet, while tn
destroyers will endeavor to remoy
the possibility of a chance collisio
with a mine On the other side of til
Atlantic il is expected that a fleet {
ten dreadnaughts and twice that nun
ber of destroyers Will meet the esco
that Will serve as a convoy from tn.
nort The r1-a n cravo an 10 for @hf.