Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-07-08
NATION HEAD
is WELCOMED
UPON RETURN
President Back in U. S.
After Long Absence
Gets Big Reception.

New York, July 8.-EscOrted by
a fleet Of warships, the transport
George Washington, bringing Pres
ident Wilson home from France,
passed Quarantine and moved on to
New York harbor at 1870 p. m. to-
day.
The presidential transport is un-
der the escort of two battleships,
38 destroyers, one mine sweeper
and one dirigible balloon. Four of
the destroyers sailed from Brest
with the president.
Comes in Sight at 1910.
With a naval dirigible lowering
overhead her, the George Washing
ton came in sight of the Jersey
highlands at 11:40 a. m. The presi-
dents transport is flying a huge
American flag from the stern, the
presidents flag from the main
truck and smaller flags on the fore
and mizzen mastheads. A seaplane
which went out to meet the trans
port was forced to come down on
the seas.
Tie George Washington and her
convoy passed Ambrose lightship
at noon, led by the battleship
Pennsylvania with Secretary Dan
iels and a party Of other govern
ment officials on board. AS the
George Washington and the escort
ing feet of destroyers passed Sandy
Hook the presidents salute was
fired by the guns on shore.
As the transport passed Fort
Hancock the guns doomed a preai-
Dental salute, echoed 10 minutes
later for Fort Hamilton and Fort
Webster. The shrill whistles or
harbor craft took up the din.
President Stands on Bridge.
The president and Mrs. Wilson
stood on the bridge of the Wash
ington as the vessel steamed slow
ly up the harbor to her pier also
conveyed by destroyers and well.
coming craft of all descriptions.
The rails of the transport were
lined with returning soldiers cheer
ing and waving their caps.
The battleship Pennsylvania
bearing five members of the presi-
dents cabinet-Daniels, Baker.
Lane, Glass and Wilson-.ed the
way followed by the Oklahoma with
the George Washington at her
stern.
The George Washington had a
clear way up the harbor. Police
and navy patrol boats preceded the
transport and her escort. sending
out of their path excursion craft,
ferries and barges.
Four dreadnaughts and 36 de-
stroyers from the Atlantic fleet
formed the escort that met the
United States naval transport
George Washington, with President
Wilson aboard, 80 miles east OF
Sandy Hook early today. The
presidential salute from these ves-
sells was the first ceremony in well
coming the president on his arrival
today.
Fleet Rides in HarbOr.
In the harbor we're As warships,
headed by the flagship Pennsyl-
vania with Admiral Henry b. VIII
son aboard, assigned TO join the
Out-of-the-harbor escort. General
March and members Of the cabinet
were assigned to the Pennsylvania,
while the city welcoming party,
headed by Mayor Hylan and Gov
ernor Smith, were passengers
aboard the municipal steamers
Patrol and Correction.
Welcomed by Children.
On duty for the presidents ar
rival were eleven hundred police
men from the Jersey City and Ho-
Doken forces and several thousand
school children greeted the presi-
lent by singing the Star Spangled
Banner as he left the George
to embark for Manhat-
an on a special ferryboat. Inn
after the welcoming eX-
srcises in Carnegie hall, President
Wilson will take a special train
or Washington.
The police arrangements for
President Wilson dur
ng his two hours stay in New
York are the most elaborate ever
planned for the safety Of a chief
executive.