New-York tribune., 1918-12-04
City to Witness Greatest
Marine Spectacle as the
Armada Puts to Sea
George Washington
Ready for Tri p
Dreadnougl1t Pennsylva-
MIA and Five Destroyers
to Convoy the Delegates

President Wilson's peace fleet. CON
sisting of six fighting ships and the
converted German liner George Wash
ington, will move down the harbor this
morning for France and the Interna-
tional Conference.
To-day's departure of the President
and his party will present a marine
spectacle such as New York has not
been permitted to witness for years.
The dreadnaught Pennsylvania, ac-
companied by five trim destroyers, all
sombre gray instead of their mottled
camoufage of war days. will precede
the Executives liner down the bay
Nuremous other smaller craft. with
flags flying and whistles blowing, will
bring up the rear.
A dispatch from Washington last
night said the President would leave
there at midnight and reach Hoboken
about o'clock this morning.
With the President will go more than
200 experts Of various kinds. several
tons of maps and especially prepared
literature and very substantial cargo
of food for European consumption. The
experts are expected to keep him in
formed OF every detail of the numerous
complicated questions to be discussed
at the peace conference.
Close Guard on Wilson
The maps and literature have been
indexed and prepared for ready ref
erence during the sessions at Yer
sailles. The food is but part of the
larger cargoes to be sent later in an
effort to prevent suffering in Franco,
Belgium and. later. among the nations
enemies Of but few weeks ago.
The elaborate arrangements made at
Hoboken for the reception of the Pres
ident and to guard him against curious
or persistent interviewers may be taken
as hint Of the programmes in which
ne will play an important part on the
other side Of the Atlantic Although
the details of these plans were careful
ly guarded, even at late hour last
night, the principal points became
known as naval and military officers
were given their instructions as to
their part in the days proceedings.
The Pennsylvania train bearing the
President and his party is scheduled to
arrive at the Summit Avenue station
of the Pennsylvania Railroad at
o'clock in the morning
Pier Hung With Flags
The train will be switched to the
Erie Railroad and from there to the
Hoboken branch Of the Shore road
thus eliminating the necessity of pass
ing through the streets of Hoboken to
Pier 5, where the Gearge Washington
is tied up awaiting its cargo of peace
delegates.
The pier, the railroad stations and
the tracks have been hung bung with
bunting and Allied flags in anticipa-
ton Of the coming of the President.
he train will stop within but few
feet of the pier end, thus making it
possible for the passengers to step
from their cars to the gangplank Of
the former German liner.
General McManus, in command OF
the forces at the port of embarkation.
Major H. c. Craig and all other mill
tary and naval officers were in readi
ness last night to participate in the
pageant that is to serve farewell
to the party. a band will line the pier.
and the Presidential group will pass
between lines OF soldiers on the short
trip from the train to the ship.
Pier Closed to Public
None but uniformed men VIII be per
mitted upon the pier until after Presi-
dent Wilson has gone aboard the liner
and disappeared from view. Then
newspaper men who have been armed
with special passes for the occasion
will be permitted a view OF the shin
Photographers, however, Will be barrea
until the George Washington is far be-
yond the scope of the,r lenses-unless