The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-12
MARGARET WILSON
IN BREST AFTER
TOUR Of FRANCE
Lawrence Motors With PreSi-
dents Daughter and Gives
Interesting Details Of Her
Democratic Work.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
The News Selmltar's Special corre-
spondent,


BREST. Dec 12.-Although President
Wilson will pause in Brest only three
hours on the way through to Paris,
Col House and members Of the French
government are arriving to welcome
him here. and there are already many
indications visible Of the, enthusiastic
welcome that awaits the head OF
the American government throughout
France.
No one here is more happy over the
coming visit, however, than are the
American troops, who feel that Presi-
magnitude Of the achievement OF the
American army and convey the spirit
of 1t to the people.
Before a large assembly OF. troops
Margaret Wilson, eldest daughter of
the president: sang yesterday Her ,9r
American, made a deep impression
here. She has been travelling in France
for a month, passing along the entire
battle front, as well as back Of the
lines and singing at two concerts daily, daily:
Mems Christian association and,
through a happy coincidence, her as
signment at Brest fell just before the
arrival of her father, so that she will
remain here to greet him,
France. incognito, and as we motored
yesterday afternoon. along the water
front she told me there was no doubt
in her mind that the people of France
would be everlastingly grateful to
America and that she herself had fallen
from whom she had received many sim
pie tributes, most touching in their
character.
Miss Wilson was also received with
great enthusiasm by the American
forces everywhere, especially because
n IN Hi ct In nFxFiY ~
for the accommodation OF the enlisted
men at every hut where she sang. Not
only has she been singing, but she has
been making brief speeches as she
travelled throughout France, stimulat-
ing the American troops who must
necessarily remain here and enthusing
the returning soldiers by telling them
that no set of Americans ever got a
greater welcome than that which was
waiting for the returning soldiers when
they again reach the United States.
In marked contrast to the daugh-
ters of foreign rulers, Miss Wilson has
been travelling simply, working day and
night and putting up with hardshlps
of every sort. Gen Pershing has de-
tailed Maj oliver Newman, formerly
Of the District of Columbia, to escort
the party, which consists, in addition
to Miss Wilson, of Mr.. and Mrs. Ross
David, of New York., who are also
taking part assisting in the musical
program
Although the war has come to an end
from all practical standpoints, the
necessity OF pr0yiding recreation for the
ttfOors is lA1E SsNf row "a aat
the incentive III excifenneift and dan
ger is gone Miss Wilson was travel
Ing along the battle front when negu-
tiations for an arTnistice began and she
conveyed the news personally as she
Travelled from Paris to the Toul sector
While she was doing so she encoun-
tered a regiment mud covered and
fatigued just coming out OF the
trenches. Miss Wilson suddenly left her
companions and rushing toward cap
tain among the troops embraced him
affectionately. Her companions won
dered until they discovered that the
man was her own cousin, Capt, Edward
Brown, OF Atlanta. who had no idea
she was in France, and there was a
family reunion at the front. The sol
diers on learning the identity of the
distinguished visitor, cheered heartily,
Miss Wilson has been travelling un..
officially all the time and | learned
today from members Of her party that
she was one of the first to enter
Strassburg, the old capital of Alsace,
with the American forces. She went
incognito, joining in the enthusiastic
demonstrations Of the populace. With
paraded through the streets as Marshal
Petain entered.
Il would not have. missed II for. all
the world, she said, and l wish
could have gotten over sooner. One
must see France to appreciate 1t.
Copyright, 1918, by the New York
Evening Post, lnc)