Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-12-26
IS ESCORTED BY
KING To PALACE
Huge Throngs Crowd lcIdon
Thoroughfares to Get Glimpse
of American Executive
CHRISTMAS WITH TROOPS
President and Mrs. Wilson Eat
Mess With Men--10,000
Pass in Review

bU Associated Press.
LONDON, Dec. 26.-President and
Mrs. Wilson are I'm Buckingham Pal
ace this afternoon after a journey
from Calais to London during which
they were accorded all the honors
given royalty.
Never has a royal progress. except
those of great national ceremonials.
excited such interest here as the first
state visit of an American president.
The drive of the short procession
from the station to the palace was
made through streets lined with the
guards regiment in khaki. Fresh
flags hung overhead and covered the
buildings, while windows, balconies,
sidewalks and open spaces were filled
with people. many of whom wore the
American colors.
II was a brief spectacle. Ffrst came
the sovereign escort of troops from
the household cavalry with helmets
and steel cuirasses. Then came the
carriages with King Gtorge and Presi-
dent Wilson and Queen Mary. Mrs.
Wilson and Princess Mary. They were
followed by threa others. which passed
almost unnoticed. as all eyes we're up
on Mr.. and Mrs. Wiiscl and the royal
family Although 9 trip was short
one, II lay through most interesting
section of London From cbaring
Cross station the route ran a'ocE The
north side of Trifalgar square With
the Nelson monument. towering or the
left and the nat ,ral gallery on the
right. 1t continued a'ong Pal NH
trl'.'ne ,orthward o, g.. James place
end up st. James street to PicadilIy.
Tho procession drove westward aiorg
the north side Of Picadilly.
Between Picadilly and Buckingham
Palace there stretches a green park
which was dark with people. The
party drove past Wellington Arch and
along the southern side OF the park,
fianked on the right by the wall OF the
palace grounds and then into the
broad plaza before the palace and
through the iron gates into the palace
forecourt.
Probably the most interesting of the
spectacles for the president were the
people who were gathered everywhere
to greet him. The day being a holi-
day. workingmen and women had a
chance to turn out with their small
children.
While the former features of the
event were we'll staged and managed,
the human factor presented the most
Interest. The interior Of the grimy old
station where King George welcomed
Mr. Wilson, was carpeted with red and
the walls and the roof were hidden be-
hind masses of flags. Club windows
were mostly monopolized by men.
while hotels and stores along the way
were filed with parties only less inter-
esting than those on the streets.
That such masses OF American flags
could be produced at such short no.
tice was a revelation OF London's re-.
sources and no one appreciated them
more than the American soldiers and
blue Jackets among the spectators
As the Presidents train crossed ,
the Thames and entered the station
a great cheer went up from the
crowd. salute of forty-one guns
was fired from the Tower Of London
and in Hyde Park. ---->ss.s .sssu-A,
There was splendid cooi
among all concerned for the carr
out of the arrangements planned 10.
the Presidents reception. The parade
moved smoothly according to pro-
gram. 1t was witnessed by such an
outpouring of people and enthusiasm
as London has never known except
upon the occasion of coronations and
of Queen Victoria's jubilee in 1897.
There was general agreement. among
lLondoners that no visiting head or
state had ever been given such an
ovation as that accorded the Ameri-
can president.
The progress of the royal and
presidential party was in semi-state
coaches, each drawn by four dark
horses with two costilions in scarlet
| coats. white breeches and black silk
hats with two footmen in long over
coats sitting behind. The coaches
were escorted by squads of scarlet
coated outriders.
Before the Presidents arrival IL
seemed as though London was to
have its coldest day OF the winter.
There was ice In the streets and a
white frost on the grass. Fortunate
lily, however. there was neither the
rain nor the fog which usually pre-
vail in December. Before IL O'Clock
streets in the west end We're f1lied
with holiday throngs afoot and N
motor cars watching the hundreds OF
workmen putting the finishing touch
es to the decorations. some OF which
had blown down during the night.
st. James street made a brave dls-
play. Across the street was huge
| blue banner, with the words THE eitl-
zens of Westminster welcome Presi-
! dent Wilson" in gold letters.
Sightseers poured In during tho
tmorning from all points toward the
center OF interest. There were thou-
sands of soldiers and sailors. MANY
hundreds of school children and hun
dreds of flag venders, burnt cork min
strels with banjoes, posters and don-
| (rontfnuef or rage hve