Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-27
London Pays Tribute to Wilson
Distinguished American Given
Tumultous Ovation by Crowd
With King and Queen,
President and Mrs.
Wilson Face Multi
tude from Balcony of
Buckingham alace
Continuous Dem
OnstratiOns From
ChaumOnt to Dover

London, Dec. 26.-lBy The .Asso-
ciated Press. THE great moment Of
President Wilson'S first day III Eng
land was when he stood With the
King and Queen and Mrs. Wilson in
tho balcony OF Buckingham Palace
today. facing IA multitude which
stretched clear down the Mali to inc
admiralty, half a mile distant ma
overtiowcd to the park on ono side
and Green park or the other. Only a
corporals guard could hear the Pres
idcnt's brief speech but the pie
gave him greeting more clamorous
than any other guest of the natiJn
has commanded within the memory
Of the oldest Londonors. The days
events constituted tribute to tic
President and tho United States
Which vii! be historic The official
ccrcmonials--u reception by the Do
Ncr corporations, and the navy; due
welcome at the station by the royal
family and the chief officials of thc
empire and the state progress through
the heart Of London were culorcd
with touches OF medieval pageantry
even the crimson-coatcd beef caters
from the tower. bearing balbred5,
which, the British people cherish
That the central figure of the royal
procession in quaint state carriages,
aided by a military escort and house
hold officials should he a civilian
wearing Il black coat and silk NAT,
gave a flavor of novelty TO the scene.
But the assembling Of the people was
spontaneous. That was the chief note
Of the day. There had been no time to
erect stands, and windows were not adj
Vertised for rent. The people simply
hocked in from All quarters afoot. III
motors and other vehicles, carrying;
flags and their lunches, and standin:
for hours in tho cold for 4 chance 10 get
a sight OF the President 1t was a gath
crlns principally OF the plain people, the
theirs were in the country Tor the io!-
ida! 1t was n diverse ard picturesque
thcon- such as few capitals can mus
among whom the c"lnniaiS seemed con
spiCuous and popular. Il detachment %
wounded from the hospitals attended
by nurses. yct ting a fun share of the
cheers The popularity of the King and
Queen was again testified TO by the oTa-
ton given to them while driving to the
station to meet the President II is cs-
timatcd that 10000 comic crowded the
two miles .! streets through which the
party passed. These were canopcd
with flags and bunting AND amid the
thuddinS of the SalutiuS cannon the
a popular welcome almost unpreccdcnt-
td in history. London was not satisfied
with the tumu,tuous greeting accorded
curing the ceremonial drive to BuChNE
ham palace, where the President and
Mrs. Wilson are staying as guests OF
the King and Queen. Some 1000 people.
filing the huge scmicircJiar assembling
platform at the palace. Checre;l irccs-
sanity until half an hour after his ar
rival when the President appeared on
the balconv beside the King They were
followed by the Queen. who waved a
,mal American flag. and Mrs. Wilson,
who carried a Union Jack. Princess
Mary and the Duke Of connaught. So
proloug god and intense was the cheering
thai the President, showing great emo
ion. thanked III a few words the oiti-
zens OF London for their great welcome