Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-04-09
PRESIDENT ASKS
THAT TRANSPORT
Be SENT TO BREST
Indications Are George
Washington Will Sail
Early Friday.
MUST END ALL DELAYS
AT PEACE CONFERENCE
Message Causes Much Specula-
ton in the National
Capital.
every srIoN SLIGHTLY IMPROVED
Se5I;n.s6as Contents of Cablcgram
A. G. AID by Secretary 1,umuity
malse,te Last Evening.
BY Associated Press. !

WASHINGTON, April S.-Prestdent
Wilson has ordered the transport
George Washington to De started for
France at the earliest time possible
In announcing today that the trans
port George Washington would sail
from New York for Brest, Friday, in
stead Of next Monday. the date origi-
nally fixed for her departure. Assist
ant Secretary Roosevelt disclosed that
the change had been made as the re-
suit of a cablegram yesterday from Ad-
miral Benson, at Paris, inquiring when
the ship could sail.
Yesterday when word came from
Paris, that the President had deter
lays a the conference and had ordered
the transport to France, Navy Depart
ment officials said no, new orders had
on on Monday April H. The II s'henses; Benson;
auickly. % communieation .ai s'uasiG with Sths ths
New York navy yard, where the George
Washington is undergoing overhaul
bss as sdeuE. gapss sat 5Y shs eeSS snS
she WAS ordered out fhenf. = '=,''e
MT Ro1ssyeis anid AZ nteday admiral
about % The Tie dasae IT the eut aepsr1uRrey smRy
He He ss explained FIa that the ship would
was decided to make some repairs and
that the, tentative sailing date then
was hXed for next Monday.
Should Reach Brest April 20.
- The George Washington should reach
Brest by April 20. Whether she will
make a return, trip with soldiers be-
lore the President returns home will
seas. Mr.. Roosevelt said if this voy-
age were made it would be May 10
or 20 before the vessel could get back
So far as could be learned today no
lHtTTm1ii0n Rb1n HnMs. has been receixed at the
ers about the sitSaion eheT oGa Mhieh a9ar dT
patches from France indicate has
arisen there, Officials contidently de-
has no idea OF leaving Paris prema-
turely, and that the inquiry about the
Transport i merely was a ,preeaution to
the President is ready to return home
May Force an Issue.
Admiral Benson's message gave no
reason for the Presidents order and
the White House professed to have no
preting it in the light of press dis
patches from Paris telling of the Presi-
peace conference must end, most Of
hcials regarded it as Significant. Added
Importance also was given by the fact
the admiral regarding the ships de-
parture. the first, received yesterday.
having INQUIRED as to the time the ves-
sci could get under way.
More Hopeful View Taken.
Late press dispatches froy. Paris in
dicated that more hopeful view as
TO the progress of the peace negotia-
ttons was entertained than had been
reflected in cablegram received to-
night by Secretary Tumulty from Rear
Admiral Grayson, the Presidents per-
general situation had improved Slight
~. Secretary Tumulty said he had not
been advised as to the situation which
had led the President to order the
George Washington to Brest, and that
Admiral Grayson. In sending the mes
sage received tonight. evidently had as
of the state of affairs through press
dispatches from the French capital