Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-12-14

to the fleet and close behind loomed the huge bulk of the battleshpis Pennsylvania and Wyoming flying Mayo. commander of the Atlantic fleet, and Vice-Admiral Sims, com manGer of the American naval force in European waters. Just back of them moved the George Washington bearing the President, flanked on either side by the battleships Arkan- sas, Florida, Utah, Neveda, Okla homa, New York, Texas and Arizona. by French cruisers and by a great flotilla of American and French tor pedo 1joat destroyers.
 The days first array of sunlight fell across the George Washington as she anchored while the huge reprp- duction of the Statue of Liberty on shore was brilliantly illuminated as the sun broke through the clouds.
 The entrance to the rabcr is a narrow strait with forts crowning the towering cliffs on each side. Through this avenue the imposing pageant moved, each of the ten forts contributing it's cannonade and the ten American battleships answering gun for gun.
 As the fleet neared the inner har- bor the land batteries and the assem- bled war craft took up the thunderous salute while the hills, quays and the terraces of the old Breton City rang multitude At the same time all the war craft, merchantmen and trans ports dressed ships and manned the yards and the strains of the Ameri- can anthem Heated 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 battleships ranged themselves in double column on either side.
 President Wilson witnessed the spectacle from the deck of his steam CT, waving greetings and acknow- Judgements as the cheering thrOng ashore vied with the artillery in the Old Worlds first tribute to the Am erican President.
 Soon after the arrival of the Presi- dential fleet Stephen Pichon. the FICuCu lOIC ClSA AIH&AotOl, ohN OOOA SS s. Legues, the minister of marine, who were at Brest, to meet the President on behalf of the French government, boarded the Geolge Wash ington to extend their greetings.
 The French ministers and Ameri- can officials boarded tho George Washington at 1:30. They were ac- companied by Miss Margaret Wilson. As soon as they had gone aboard the George Washington, preparations be- gan for the President landing. About fifty American and French warships were in the roadstead.
 The President today completed his conferences with members of the American mission and the ambassa- dors on board and everything now is ready for the informal, but import l ant preliminary conferences with the entere premiers beginning pro- bably next Tuesday The President spent the day in putting the finish ing touches on his plan for the first conference and in preparing reply to the address of welcome to be de- livered by President Poincaire. A farewell demonstration for the President was held aboard ship last evening" A chorus of blueiackets sang "God Be With You Till We Meet Again"
 l The President apparently was deep 1 lv affected as the sailors sang, their melodious voices ringing through the ship. As the solemn notes of the famous old hymn were concluded the orchestra struck up "Auld Lang ] Syne." in which all the ships com pany joined.
 l The Presidents progress from the pier to his train was amidst vocl- 1 ferrous welcome from the throngs in the streets. . 1 President Wilson left Brest for Paris at 4 o'cdlock this afternoon.
 A singular feature of the welcome to the President was the suppressed interest of the German prisoners at Brest. It was evident that their in- terest in the visitors was as keen as that of the crowd thronging the town but the authorities kept these Ger, mans in he background.
 Among those who lined the route to the station were delegations ol patriotic societies and other organi- cations and throngs ot psogls iron
 (Continued on page five)