The Glenwood post., 1918-12-28
Two Million People Pack the
Streets to Get a Glimpse
Of mister" Wilson
IS GUEST OF ROYALTY

London, Dec. 26.-The great moment
of President Wilson s first day in Eng
land was when he stood with the king
and Mrs. Wilson in the balcony of
multitude which stretched down the
Mall to the admiralty, half mile dis
tant, and overflowed st. James park
on one side and Green Park on the
other.
Only a corporals guard could hear
the presidents brief speech, but the
show himself, gave him a greeting
more clamorous than any other guest
of the nation has commanded within
the memory of the Oldest Londoners.
The days events constitute tri-
butte to the president of the United
States which will be historic. The Of
ficial ceremonies-a reception by tho
Dover corporation and the navy; the
welcome at the station by the royal
family and the chief officials of the
empire, and the state progress thru
the heart of London-were colored
with touches of medieval pageantry,
even to the crimson coated beef eat
ers from the Tower, bearing halberds,
which the British people cherish. That
the central figure of the royal pro-
cession in quaint state carriages, at
tended by military escort and house,
hold officials, should be a civilian
wearing a black coat and silk hat,
gave 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 set stands, and windows were
not advertised for rent. The people
simply flocked in from all quarters,
afoot, in motors and other vehicles,
carrying flags and their lunches, and
standing for hours in the cold for .
chance to get sight of the president.
1t was gathering principally of the
plain people; the others were in the
country for the holiday. 1t was di-
verse and picturesque throng such As
few capitals can muster, with large
element of soldiers, among whom the
coonials and Americans seemed con-
spicuous and popular, detachment of
wounded from the hospitals attended
by nurses, getting large share of the
cheers.
1t is estimated that 100000 people
which the state procession passed.
These were canopied with Tags and
bunting and amid the thudding of the
saluting cannon, the president of the
United States received popular wei
come, almost unprecedented in his
tory.
The popularity of the king and
queen was again attested by the ova-
ton given them while on their drive
to the station to meet the president.
Every one agreed that London has
never known another such 3emonstra.
ton, except on great national days,
when the British people have cele-
brated the inaugural of a new reign
of Il milestone in the old.
London was not satisfied with the
tumultuous greeting accorded during
the ceremonial drive to Buckingham
palace, where the president and Mrs.
Wilson are staying as the guests Of
the king and queen. Some 100000
people completely filling the huge
semicircular assembling place facing
the palace, cheered incessantly until
half an hour after the presidents ar
rival, when he appeared on the bal
cony beside the king. They were fol-
lowed by the queen, who waved .
small American flag Mrs. Wilson, who
carried union jack, Princess Mary
and the Duke Of Connaugh. So pro-
longed and intense was the cheering
that the president showing great emo
ton, thanked in few words the eiti.
zens of London for their great well
come.