The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-12-26
LIKE PROGRESS
OF R0YALPARTY|
President and Mrs. Wilson
Reach London-WeIComed
by King George.
SPECTACLE BRILLlANT
People Crowded to See Amer
lean Leader-Human Fac
tor Appealed Most.

| from Calais to London, during whicl
they were accorded all the honor
ever given royalty. Never has 1
| royal progress. except those of grea
national ceremonials excited sucl
interest here as the first state visi
Of an American president.
The drive OF the short procession
from the station to the palace wa
made through streets lined will
guards regiments in khaki. Fresl
| flags hung overhead and covered tn,
buildings. while windows, balconies
sidewalks and open spaces were tille'
| with people. many of whom wore tn
| American colors.
| 1t was a brilliant spectacle. Firs
| came the .soverign's escort of troop
from tho household cavalry, will
helmets and steel cuirasses. TheI
came the carriages with King Georg
| and President Wilson and Queer
Mary, Mrs. Wilson and Princes
| Mary. These were followed by thre'
| others, which passed almost I'm
noticed. as all eyes were on Mr.. an'
Mrs. Wilson and the royal family.
! Notable Residences.
| Although the trip was a short one
it lay through a most interesting
section of London. From Charm,
Cross the route ran along the nortl
| side of Trafalgar square, with tn
| Nelson monument towering on th'
left and the national gallery on th'
! right, its gray walls almost covere,
| by huge American and British flags
| II continued along Pail Mall. turnini
! northward at st. James place and III
| st. James street to Picodilly, the chic
landmarks along this stage being th'
| solid, weather worn buildings of th'
old London clubs now decked will
bunting they keep for special oc'
casions. The procession drove west
ward along the north side of Picca
dlly, passing n tract of clubs anC
big hotels and palatial residences
notably the home of the Duke of De
vonshire with the Red Cross flal
/ over 1t. and the residence Of thu
Duke Of Wellington, at the entrance
| of Hyde Park, where the procession
| turned.
Between Piccadilly and Bucking.
ham palace there stretches a greer
| park which was dark with people
| The party drove past Wellington
| arch and along the southern side o
| lDC DuIk. ildlhtu Oii lIlt if6Ht ny VIZ
wall of the palace ground. and thei
into the broad plaza before the pal
/ ace and through the iron gates int
the palace forecourt.
Chief Part of Spectacle.
Probably the most interesting par
! of the spectacle for the president wal
| the people who were crowded every
where to greet him. The day being
q holiday workingmen and womtr
| had a chance to turn out with thell
! small children. They made 'he mos
Of their opportunity and to NJ
| stratum of British humanity coulc
| the president have made a stronger
| appeal. While the formal features
| of the event were well staged ant
managed, the human factor presented
| the most interest. The interior o
| the grimy old station where Kint
George welcomed Mr.. Wilson Tas
carpeted with red and the walls ant
roofs were hidden behind masses o
| flags. Club windows We're mostl,
monopolized by men, while the hotels
| and stores along the way We're filled
with gay parties only less interest.
! ing than those on the streets.
French Escort Brighton.
The steamer Brighton. on which
| the president crossed the channel
! had quick and smooth passage ant
arrived at Dover just about midday
| She was met at Calais by Sir Charlie!
! Gust, the kings equerry, and Vice.
Admiral Sir Roger Kcyes, who ac.
companied the party to Dover. Foui
French dcstroyers escorted the
Brighton to midchannel, where Brit
ish destroyers and dozen airplaneS
took over the duty.
The salute in honor OF the presi'
dent was fred from Dover castle
This was the first time since the be-
ginning Of the war that this honor
had been accorded any visitor Tho
Brighton's path was along the line OF
ships of the famous Dover patrol, al
| Of which were flying American flags
and their crews lining the rails. Tho
bands, which, when tho Brighton was
sighted. had played God Save the
King" now took up the star Span
gled Banner each ships company
standing at attention.
Mrs. Wilson Interested.
The Brighton was flying the presi-
deAt's flag, Admiral keyes' pennant
and the British naval ensign. Mrs
Wilson, who was on deck, took the
greatest interest in the evolutions of
the British destroyers. The presi-
dent. who appeared in splendid spir-
its when he stepped ashore, was I'M
mediately greeted by the Duke OF
Connaught and the other members OF
the welcoming party. After review
ing the guard Of honor, he passed
through the covered station, where
the mayor and the corporation in
their scarlet robes of office extended
a formal welcome. The address was
read by Sir A. Booking. the city's
recorder. The president replied
briefly.
Girls Strew Rose Petals.
AS President Wilson walked to the
train dozen girls wearing the Amer
lean colors strewed petals of roses
in his path. All this time the air.
planes had been lowering over the
pier and the station. and as the spe-
cial train bearing the president left
for the capital the airnen also head
ed for London. accompanying the
train all the way.
In addition to the great crowds In
the town, many people gathered
along the line of the railway and at
different stations, cheering as the
train passed.
Great Cheer Sent Up.
As the presidents train crossed the
Thames and entered the station, n
great cheer went up from the crowd.
A. salute of forty-one guns was, fired
from the tower of London and in
Hyde Park.
Before the presidents arrival 1t