Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-12-28
GUILD HALL OF LONDON
WAS SCENE OF OFFICIAL
WELCOME TO PRESIDENT
Before Meeting At Guild Hail. Wilson Received Several
Delegations AT American Embassy.---He Continued
His Conferences With British Statesmen Today, Be
coming Better Acquainted With Their Ideas
By Robert J. Bender

Omitted Press staff CORRESPONDENT
London, Dee. sS.-President Wilson
was officially welcomed to London to-
day in a formal ceremony at the Guild
hall.
His speech, in reply to the lord MAY
or g address, had been looked forward
to by the British people as clear ex-
preston of America 3 attitude toward
the most vital principles OF the peace
settlement.
1t was the first Of his 'teonversa-
tions with the british public, design
ed 10 promote complete understand
ing between Great Britain and Amer
lea and in hne with his policy Of open
discussion of peace preliminaries. The
material for his speech was believed
to have been developed from the con-
ference yesterday with Premier Lloyd
George, foreign Secretary Balfour and
other British statesmen.
The president and Mrs. Wilson ar
rived at the Guild hall at 1880 and
were received by the lord mayor and
others. Mrs. Wilson received o bouquet
from the mayors daughter.
Given Address Of welcome
After the initial ceremonies, the
president was given an address Of vel
come on parchment, in gold casket.
Following his reply, the president and
Mrs Wilson went to the mansion house
as guests Of the mayor and mayoress at
luncheon. Among the prominent per
sonages at the luncheon was the Duke
I, of Connaught.
The streets were crowded to SEQ the
president pass on his way to and from
the Guild hail. Troops lined the way
and kept the people in check.
The president continued his confer
enees with British statesmen this af-
ternoon, developing the greatest per
sonal understanding and friendship. In
!, yesterday 3 conversations the president
lis known to have exchanged ideas with
lLloyd George and Balfour Upon every
4 phase Of the peace program. Tho con-
ferences are said to have been livery
satisfactory.
Gave General Views
The president gave his views on gem
eral subjects and explained just what
the American people expected Of him.
The premier and foreign secretary
were equally frank, and a whole week
OF accomplishment under ordinary pro-
cedure was crowded into few hours
by waving diplomatic forality
This evening the president will dine
with Lloyd-George at Downing street
and meet other members OF the imper-
ial war cabinet At 11;l5 tonight, ne
will leave for Carlisle. He has request
ed the greatest privacy, as this Is a
personal visit to the former home OF
his mother, and he wishes no eeremon-
les.
Before the Guild hall meeting the
president went to the American en-
bassy where he received several dele.
cations. Among them were members o.
. the league Of nations union, headed by
Viscount Grey, Herbert Asquith and
the archbishop CT Canterbury; English
n speaking university organizations, the
8 Royal Institute of public health, N
!. which he was asked TO accept an hon
5 orary membership; friends OF the lea
G que Of nations; zionists headed bS
Lord Rothschild; the National Counci
i Of Evangelical -Four Churches and th'
n Trades Union council, which presented
i. d memorial.