The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-04
PRESIDENT IS ON
HIGH SEAS AWAY
TO CONFERENCE
Steamer George Washington
Passed Sandy Hook 11:46.
And Headed Across the Atlantic
Ocean for France.
CAST OFF At 1920 A. M.
First President of the L. ). 10
Leave for Europe.
Leaves Amid Cheers of People
and Senator's Criticism.

anu SeudlOES OTltlClSms
New York. Dec. 4.-President Will
son is on the high seas on his way
to the peace conference.
His steamer. the George Washing
ton. passed Sandy Hook and headed
for France at 11:46 a. m. today.
AS the presidents ship breasted the
ocean swell. storm warnings were
displayed along the coast Strong
winds are expected late today and
during the night. They will be off
shore, however, SO the George Wash
ington will not be bucking the gale.
New York gave the president a tre-
mendous send-off. From the time his
ship-with the president and Mrs.
Wilson on the bridge-left it's pier at
Hoboken, until it vanished into the
Atlantic mist, sirens and cheers and
fluttering handkerchiefs bade au
revoir to the first American chief
executive to go to Europe during his
term of office
Vessels off the coast passing close
to the presidential liner blew their
whistles in farewell. The dreadnaught
Pennsylvania and a fleet of 5 de-
stroyers conveyed the George Wash
turn back later.
AS the squadron steamed out to sea,
a single airplane travelling only fifty
feet above the water, could be seen
leading the way.
The DOughbOys Chcered.
Across the waters of the Hudson
just as the George Washington was
about to sail there came the roaring
cheers of more than two thousand
American soldiers returning to Ameri-
can shores on the British transport
Lapland. From crowded rigging.
from densely packed rails, and from
every port hole the homecoming
fighting men shouted greetings to the
president and from the decks of the
presidential liner cheers went back.
Cast Off Mt 1920.
New York, Dec. 4.-The steamer
George Washington, carrying Presi-
dent Wilson and his party to the peace
conference at Versailles cast off at
10.22 a. m. today.
For the first time in the nations
history, a president stepped on board
a steamship which was to take him to
Europe when Woodrow Wilson walked
up the gang plank of the transport
George Washington, berthed at Hobo
ken pier at a. m. The George Wash
ington sailed two hours later to
France, where the president is to take
part in the peace conference.
With President and Mrs. Wilson
standing on the bridge, the steamer
George Washington, carrying the pres
ident to the peace conference, moved
away from her dock at 1929 a. m.
today.
AS the transport backed out into
the stream, two airplanes circled over
head. Three destroyers in the river
took up their stations beside the
George Washington.
The crowd on the Hoboken side of
the North river unable to the
ship moving out. but they cheered as
the footing of whistles told them the
president was starting his voyage to
France. There were many spectators,
cheering and waving handkerchiefs
along the New York side of the river
on the piers.
Down River at 1890.
At 1890 the big steamer swung
around and started down the river, the
tugs still around her.
AS she moved out, the presidential
salute of 81 guns was fired by the
ships own batteries.
AS the ship proceeded toward the
bay the president remained on the
bridge, waving his hat and handker-
chief in response to the increasing
uproar of farewell The noise of
whistles and sirens became deafening
The rigging of ships docked along
the river was crowded with cheering
people. Vessels passing the George
Washington blew their whistles like
mad; their rails lined with men and
women giving the president a rousing
send off.
The two a:rplanes Joined in the dem
onstrations, looping the loop and cut
ting all kinds of capers directly over
the presidents ship.
The trip down the river was made
thru a gauntlet of action. Persons
away from the water front could fol-
low the progress of the steamer by
the din, as it moved on into the bay.
A big crowd was assembled at the
battery. where thousands from the
office buildings of lower Manhattan
gathered to wave goodbye and add
their voices to the clamor.
AS the George Washington sailed
majestically into the lower bay, her
gray sides almost merging into the
mist, the convoy swung into line off
Staten Island.
The dreadnaught Pennsylvania
which is to lead the voyage across the
Atlantic, flying Admiral Mayo's pen
nant. moved up the narrows The
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