The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-06
NAVY DEPARTMENT
IN TOUCH WITH
WILSON'S VESSEL
Wireless Keeps Open COmmu-
niCatiOn Between Washing
ton and President En- Route
to Peace Conference.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-The navy
department announced last night that
it has been in continuous communiCa-
ton by radio with the steamer George
Washington since it left New York with
President Wilson n his party on
board. No information was given. how
ever, as to the weather the vessel and
her conveying fleet had encountered,
or their position.
At the White House It was said that
no communications from the president
had been received, but it was explained
the president had left his desk clear
and that no matter Of Importance re-
curing his attention had developed
since he left Washington.
The navy departments announcement
disclosed that special arrangements
never before used were mad for hand
ling the presidents messages to
insure his being in constant touch with
Washington.
Special Wireless.
The George Washington and the
battleship Pennsylvania" said the
statement, ARE both equipped with the
most powerful transmitting apparatus,
some of which was installed for this
particular trip. This apparatus includes
on the Pennsylvania the most power
full transmitting set on any United
States naval ship n also special re-
Ceiving apparatus for receiving from
high-power stations used ordinarily only
for transatlantic messages. The
George Washington was also especially
equipped with similar receiving appa-
ratus.
ION both ships were installed radio
telephones and the newest type of low
power radio sets for use only in COM
m~unicating from ship TO ship. The
vania are thus able 20 communicate
with each other and at the same time
receive messages from shore,
IAN messages for the president are
sent by the new naval high-pOwer sta
ton and Annapolis, which is five times
as powerful as the Arlington station.
These messages are received by the
George Washington ana the Pennsyl-
Vania simultaneously. All replies are
forwarded from the George Washing
ton to the Pennsylvania n relayed to
shore by the Pennsylvania. At three
special naval radio receiving stations,
one in Maine, one in New Jersey and
one in the navy building, Washington,
expert operators are listening conttnu-
ously for the Pennsylvania's messages.
The messages when received are for
warded with utmost dispatch to the
flee Of naval communications, in the
navy department, and the three copies
are compared to insure accuracy. The
message is then delivered to the adj
QreSSee. All OulBOlnR messages pass
through the same office in Washing
ton.
Listen for Messages.
"As the presidential party approaches
Europe by arrangements OF the navy
department, special receiving stations
in both England and France will listen
for messages from the Pennsylvania
and one of the French high-power sta
tons will forward messages direct to
the ship. The president wiz thus be
kept in touch with Washington and
Paris or London simultaneously, for the
George Washington will receive easily
the messages sent from the Annapolis
station until the end Of the voyage
and the ship Is in Il French port" .
While en- route to Europe President
Wilson and his party will be kept daily
informed of the events Of the world
through the navy news report, which
is flashed nightly from the naval radio
station at Arlington and is relayed to
all naval ships and stations, both at
home and abroad. This report Is pre-
| pared by a naval officer especially as
signed for the work ana Is made up
from Associated Press dispatches.
This service, it is understood, Is being
| supplemented while the George Wash
ington is crossing by additional matter
prepared in the state department and
referring particularly 10 affairs OF IN
ternational Importance.