The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-02-15
WILSON BEGINS
HOME JOURNEY
George Washington S al S
From Brest With Execu-
tive Party Aboard.
SPLENDID ACHIEVEMENTS
Leave Warning Against
Clothing Covenant With
Heavy Wrappings.

Heavy Wrappings.
Brest, Feb. 15.--President Wilson
sailed for home today on the liner
George Washington. 1t was an
nounced that he would land at the
port of Boston.
Impressive scenes marked the de-
parture of President and Mrs. Wilson
when the George Washington de-
parted at 11:15 o'clock.
Cheered by a great multitude. the
president and Mrs. Wilson went on
board the vessel during the morning
and at 11:15 the ship weighed an
chor and steamed toward the open
sea, bringing to an end the first
phase of the historic visit of the first
American president to set foot on
French soil.
The departure Of the American ex-
ecutive struck deeper into the public
interest than otherwise would have
happened because his great victory
in the league of nations negotiations
at Paris was still fresh.
Gen. Leorat, of the French army.
accompanied the presidential party
from Paris.
A guard of honor composed of SOL
diers and sailors, was lined up on the
dock and stood rigidly at attention
while the president walked slowly by.
A group of movie men" ground
ceaselessly at their machines, regis
tering the historic scene.
Streets Thronged.
The streets leading to the pier and
the frowning hills overlooking the
dock were all filled with crowds.
Some cheered; others. touched by the
solemnity of the occasion, stood ST.
lent and uncovered. Handkerchiefs
fiuttered from the hands of women.
Mrs. Josephine Lewis, Of Cincin-
natl, o., in charge of the Red Cross
depot at Brest, presented Mrs. Wilson
with a beautiful bouquet of violets
and was .graciously thanked.
y The only other women on the dock
were Miss Beatrice Allen, OF New
York, and Miss Florence Harrison, of
Chicago. All wore their Red Cross
uniforms.
President Wilson saIuted this little
group of women warmly as he passed.
The train bearing the presidential
party pulled into the station be-
meath a vast crane which had been
used for unloading American war
machinery from ships and past docks
piled high with American equipment
ready for shipment home.
The train arrived at 10:40, Just 35
minutes before sailing time.
French sailors were drawn up on
the dock, making picturesque fig-
ures with their white collars and red
topnotes on their hats.
Gen. Helmick, commander Of the
American base and Brig. Gen. Star
bird, commander OF the port, repre-
sented the American units. There
was a gathering Of American officers
of various ranks.
The French navy was represented
by Admiral Moreau and number OF
officers wearing numerous medals.
The red ribbon Of the legion CT
honor was a conspicuous decoration.
A naval band played and trumpets
sounded as the party left the train
and boarded the ship.
When the train came to a halt a
French sailor hurried forward bear
ing newly constructed steps made
on purpose for the presidential
party's use while alighting from the
coach.
The band struck up the "Star
Spangled Banner" but there were
no cheers. President Wilson was
first to alight followed by Mrs. Will
son.
Everybody saluted. Hurried fare
wells were said before the party
boarded the tender.
Among those who wished Goa
speed to the president, were Charles
M. Schwab, head Of the Bethlehem
Steel corporation, and DR.. s. A.
Brown. of Bellevue hospital, New
York. They will sail on the Olympic. |
Huge Bouquet.
A French sailor accompanied the
party, carrying a huge bouquet OF
roses with ribbon streamers at
tached.
The party went out to the George
on a French tender piled
with baggage. There were trunks,
bags, cases and even piles of golf
clubs. A French naval officer wear
ing a gold -hilted sword was at the
wheel. Once on board the George |
the president hurried to |
hat and waved genially at the crowd !
on the dock.
Soon the liner got under way, and |
as she passed one Of the French ports
a salute of twenty-one guns thun-
dered out.
There was not a hitch and every
thing moved with the precision of
Sergt. Eugene Merriman, who was
in charge of transportation, was one
Of the happiest men in Brest.
Not a piece of luggage missing"
he cried gleefully, rubbing his hands
n satisfaction as the liner wore to-
wards the Atlantic.
Greater Prestige.
Paris, Feb. 15.-President Wilson
sailed for the United States from
3rest today clothed with even greater
prestige than when he arrived m
Europe. This vas due solely to his
achievement in getting
he plan for q league of nations
through the committee stage and be-
lore the peace conference before
line for him TO leave for home.
French "Touehy".
The French. who were somewhat
'touchy'' at tirl notably over the
Presidents oppOsi ion to international
and. sea and air forces. now ac-
lain his work in the league OF ma
ions committee as the strongest
,eace guarantee the world has ever
inown. The French are particularly