The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-04
GREAT MOMENT
IN OUR HISTORY
Weight Of Hopes and Future
of Whole Nation on Shoul-
ders Of the Presi-
dent.
NEW ERA FOR WORLD
Nervous Tension of People at the Pier
Who Realized Portert of
Historical Oc-
easion.
[By H. d. Jacobs, United Press Stan
Correspondent.

IBy H. d. Jacobs, United Press Stan
Correspondent
HOBOKEN, N. j.. Dec. 4.-Presi-
dent Wilson presented symbolic
figure as he stood on the bridge OF
the George Washington while the
great liner swung from her berth
into the tide of the North river to-
day.
Outlined against the bank Of grey
mist that overhung the water, his
shoulders seemed to carry the weight
Of the hopes and future of the whole
nation and the spirit Of hundred
million people seemed to merge into
the personality OF this one man.
From the moment the last line was
cast off, the voices of thousands OF
people on the piers and docks blended
with the roar of steam sirens into
mighty din that continued until the
George Washington faded into the
fog of the lower river. Punctuating
| this ovation were the staccato reports
Of the presidential salute fired alter
nately by the liner and destroyer
escort. The crowds which welcomed
the president and bade him bon voy-
age. apparently were impregnated
with spirit OF solemnity, In keeping
with the portent of the occasion.
From the highest military and civil
officials to the lowest privates and
tlabcrers, they appeared to be aware
that this was great moment OF his
| itorv-that when President Wilson re-
turned, new era will have begun IN
the worlds progress. Not cheer
was raised from the time the presi-
dents train drew into the pier to the
time when the tugs began to puzzle
the liner away from the docks. And
when the people did find their voices.
lit seemed to be as much welcome re-
lief from the nervous tension they
had been under as from any other
feeling.
In the dark hours of early morn
ling Brigadier General McManus. COM
mandant of port of embarkatfon and
his staff were completing the work
of decorating of pier four-formerly
; the landing place Of the Hamburg
American line-for the presidents
arrival The guards were doubled
outside the iron gates Of the port
and were augmented by city police
The crowds were kept moing in the
streets. Soldiers even patrolled the
: roofs of adjacent buildings.
AS the presidents train passed
through the suburbs little knots o,
workmen gathered near the tracks
and stood silently with barred heads
: Only military and naval men and
small group of reporters were in
side the enclosure at pier four, when
the train drew in at 7:15. Two small
flags on the locomotive were the only
decorations. A detail of secret ser
I vice men arranged themselves along
the nine coaches.
: After wait of nearly an hour
l during which the crowds shifted un
: easily about, the word was passed
along that "he's coming OUT
+ Mrs. Wilson was the first one o
: the presidential party to leave thu
private car. She was dressed in
plain blue tailored suit and blacl
= three-cornered hat, and wore blacl
! furs. AS she stepped to the ground
Il Colonel Rockwell barked an orde
I and the honor guard OF the Thir
: teenth infantry came TO attention, a
$ "present arms" The president quick
ly followed He wore dark suit,
!. grey overcoat and a grey soft hat
= His eye took in the military ARA
,, before him and he saluted stiffly
> Brigadier General McManus strod
forward and shook hands with tn
president and Mrs. Wilson.
Rear Admiral Grayson, Secretar
= = Tunnulty, the presidents privat
- stenographer and Mrs. Wilson's pr
y yate secretary alighted and the part
:, CONTINUED on page %