The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1918-12-05
THE PRESIDENT IS
OFF FOR EUROPE
PARTY SAILED FROM NEW YORK
THIS MORNING.
IS To Be ABSENT SIX WEEKS
Spectators Unable to See Much Of
Departure as 1t Was Conducted
Under Military Rmes-TumuI.
ty to Run Office.

| Ne" IoTh, Lee. 4.-Wltn President
and Mrs. Wilson standing on the
bridge the Steamship George Wash
ington carrying the President and his
party to the peace conference, moved
away from the docks at ten-twenty-
two this morning.
AS the transport backed out into the
stream two aeroplanes circled over
head. Three destroSers moved I'D
stream beside the Washington.
Presidential Salute Fired.
At ten-thirty the big German steam
ship swung around the docks at the
river, the tugs still clinging close to
her. AS she moved out the President
ial salute Of twenty-one guns were
fired by the ships own batteries.
The crowd on the Hoboken side of
the North River was unable to see the
ship as she moved out but they cheer
ed as the whistles footed announcing
that the President was starting on his
voyage to France.
Great Crowds Wave Farewell.
There was a great crowd on the New
York side Of the river and they waved
their handkerchiefs and cheered as
the ship left the piers.
President Wilson's special train ar.
rived at Pier Four on the Hoboken
dock at seven-thirty today.
The military docks on the Hoboken
water front and the streets leading to
them were patrolled by city and mil
itary policemen.
Spectators Held Back.
A biz crowd was on hand in spite Of
the early hour but no one was permit.
ted near enough to see anything.
Police boats in the North river kept
close, watch on all the craft which ap.
preached the George Washington.
The President and Mrs. Wilson were
the first to leave the train.
Sirens Sound Bon Voyage.
AS the ship proceeded towards the
bay the President stood on the bridge
and waved his hat and handkerchief
The sound from the sirens and the
whistles was deafening.
Two aeroplanes looped the loop and
did other stunts directly over the
presidential ship.
The vessel passed through the Mar.
rows and entered the lower bay at
eleven-ten a. m. and passed Sandy
Hook and started on its trip towards
France at eleven-forty-six
Everything Strictly Military.
A platoon of infantry came to pre-
sent arms" The President then
shook hands with Brigadier General
McMannis and several of the other
officers, then entered the shed leading
straight to the gang way There was
no cheering then as there we're no
civilians in sight. Everything was
strictly military.
The shed, shut the Presidents view
from the crowd as he entered the ship .
and no one but a few longshore men
saw him and they cheered him.
"star spangIed 6annenr Q
AS the President and MRS. Wilson
started to walk towards the gang way
the Thirteenth Infantry Band struck
up the Star Spangled Banner" The
President halted instantly and brought
his hat to salute. Then all Of the men
stood at attention.
After the President was safely
aboard, Rear Animal Grayson Presi.
dents Secretary Tumulty and Mrs.
Wilson's secretary left the train and
went on board the steamer.
In the Presidents Party.
Secretary of State Lansing and
French Ambassador with their wives
next appeared.
A few minutes later the remaining
members of the party left the special
train and walked on board the George
Washington.
About seven days will be required
for the trip and the ship will dock at
a French port. presumably Brest.
To Be Absent Six Weeks.
The President does not expect to
be abroad for more than six weeks,
which would give him just month on
European soil. Before the peace con
ference meets. he will confer with
Premier Lloyd George of Great Brit
ain, Clemenceau of France and Orlan-
do OF Italy. and probably King Albert
of Belgium, to discuss the salient
points Of the peace treaty.
While in Europe Mr., Wilson plans
to visit England and Italy as well as
France. and he may go to Brussels. He
also Is understood TO intend to make
a pilgrimage to some OF the battle