The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-04

The tug took position directly
ahead OF the George Washington, stop
ping all cross stream traffic aud clear
Ing path toward Quarantine, while
the destroyers ranged along either SIDE.
As the fleet started down the bay
a squadron Of alrplAnes dropped from
the clouds and executed series OF
daring loops above the presidents ship,
The liner and It's convoy steamed
toward the sea with the George Wash
ington's hand playing martial airs ana
with harbor craft OF all types, lnclud-
ing many allied merchant ships dip
ping flags and footing whistles IN Sh-
lutte to the departing chief executive,
OFF Staten island, whose shores were
black with throngs, the George Wash
ington met its ocean convoy tho dread .
nought Pennsylvania and q quintet oi
destroyers--trlm In new coats oil bat
tleship gray,
gate in the submarine net which
stretches across the Narrows and with
Ia 500 feet Of the staten island shore,
a group af several hundred school chill.
dren was transformed ut a word OF
command into y sen Of waving flags,
The presidential fleet passed guar :
sntne az j o'ei9ek the FennsylSSsnla 1,,S,!aS ia
either slee and IN the wake Of the
transport Gunboats In the lower bay
fired salvps In salute
As the Squadron steamed out TO sea
r single alrplane, travelling only 30
feet above the water, could be seen
leading the way.
Across the waters OF the Hudson
Just as the George Washington was
about to sail there came the roaring
cheers OF more than 1000 American
soldiers returning to American shores
on the British transport lapland. From,
crowded rigging, from densely packed
rails and from every port hole the
home coming lighting men shouted i
The decks Of the presidential liner
cheers went back,
With the transports departure 1t was
disclosed that Secretary Tnmulty had
been very anxious to accompany the
president, but yielded to the wishes of
the president, who believed that Mr.,
Tumplty's presence was needed In
Washington.
Guard Party Well.
On the trip from Washington ex-
traordinary precautions were taken by
and his entire Washington staff ac-
eompRnied the president, Meanwhile
400 secret service experts had thor
oughly examined the George Washing
ton and the Loyalty Of every officer
and seaman was absolutely proven
After the president stepped aboard
the ship was virtually sealed, even
As an illustration Of the situation,
George Creel, who did not go aboard
at the time the president did, found
difficulty In later joining the peace
party He was obliged TO exert official
pressure In order TO be allowed to 60
aboard,
The presidents party included two
other members Of The American dele
gaton--Sscretary Of state Robert
Lansing and Henry White, former
American ambassador to France and
Italy Col t. NJ. House and Gen
Tasker II. Bliss, the other two mem
bers, are already In Europe.
As the George Washington swung out
precented in American history, Presi-
dent and Mrs, Wilson stood on the fly
ing bridge, the highest point to which
passengers could climb An army band
| on the shore played over There"
The president, in high spirits said
ss as a az rest~indeed he first real rest
since he assumed office. He remarked
| that II might be IAN enforced rest for
| few days" thus acknowledging his
reputation for being very poor sailor
The George washington, WIN us con
yoy Of war vessels, will take the south
erh route, going by way OF the Azores
| in order to avoid colder temperatures
on the northern route.
An office desk In the presidents suite
was piled high with telegrams and Of
fetal documents, and Indications were
that the president would plunge into
this work even before the George Wash
| ington got out to sea. A wireless tele-
gram is expected to be received by the
| president late today from Secretary OF
the Treasury McAdoo, announcing the
acceptance or rejection OF the treasury
| Tecretaryship by the Hun to whom 1t
| has been offered
The presidents special train from
Washington arrived at lloboken this
morning at 7;so O'Clock Between The
track on which the train drew ~ %
| the entrance to the pier and the North
river terminus Of the pier an archwey
OF American flags had been erected A.
| the president stepped from the train
| and shook hands with Gen. g, IA. Nc,
Manus. bugles and drums sounded and
1