The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1919-02-25
PRESIDENT WILSON
IN BOSTON
Spoke There Today on the
League of Nations and
the Big Questions
BEFORE CONFERENCE

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Boston today and not only city but
thousands of people came from
nearby cities to welcome him as he
drove from Commonwealth Pier to
his hotel.
Boston, Feb. 24.-Fresident Will
sons reception in Boston was char
acterized by the attendance of thous-
ands of people with the enthusiasm
as great as any that has attended
him on his trips in France, England
or Belgium.
Boston, Feb. 24.-President Will
son landed at Commonwealth Pier
at 11:42 this morning.
Boston, Mass, Feb. '24.-Presi-
dent Wilson's ships arrived in Bos-
ton Harbor early yesterday evening
and anchored, with all the Presi-
Dental party aboard. Some time be-
fore noon the President and those
accompanying him from the Paris
peace conference, came ashore for
brief ceremonies Of welcome and a
short speech by the President to
Mechanics Hall. The whole party
left for Washington by special train
at 4:30 this afternoon, arriving
Tuesday morning. The President
still plans to return to France on
the George Washington, sailing
from Hoboken about March 9Th, un-
less something unforeseen occurs.
The condition of the French Premier
M. Clemenceau, may prove to be a
large foctor. The possibility Of a
change in the French government
should the Premier not respond to
treatment for this wound, and the
the further possibility of a delay in
the peace conference or even a
change in the delegation of France,
complicates the situation.
On Board the U. s. George Wash
ington, Feb. 24.-The Presidents
ship and its destroyer escort, the
Harding, lost their bearings in the
heavy fog and ran off the Massachu-
setts coast yesterday afternoon
while running for Boston Light and
came within perhaps one thousand
yards Of grounding of the beach at
Thatcher's Island, Cape Ann.
The two vessels were proceeding
on dead reckoning, about o'clock
with the Harding as a guard ship
ahead. Suddenly the Harding's
lookout discovered land and the de-
stroyer gave five quick blass on her
whistle and made a quick turn
across the Washington's bow. The
wind was landward and the sound
was carried away from the George
Washington instead Of toward her.
The Washington's deck officer, how
ever, saw the five Jets of steam
from the Harding's whistle and CIV
ing three short the engine room
for full speed astern. The big ship
srembled and quivered with the
throbbing Of the mighty engines as
they churned the water, and that
was the first intimation any Of the
passengers and most of the crew
had of what was going on.
President Wilson noticed the mo-
tion at once and with Admiral
Grayson went on deck. He was
quite unconcerned, however, and
his attitude was more one Of curl
osity and interest. Troops and pas
sengers piled on decks at the same
time and saw the rollers on the
sandy beach and the summer cot
tages. A motion picture show 60
ing on in the main dining salon,
however, continued to hold the at
tention of many of the passengers.
Although going full speed the
Washington stopped quickly and
easily and began backing away,
while the destroyers turned to wal
lowing about the big liner. The lead
was not going quickly and deep wa
ter Immediately was reached. Pas
sengers, crew and troops did not
seem to regard the incident as a
possibility Of danger, many Of them
thinking 1t rather good joke play
ed by the fog on the navigators. Al
ter backing q short distance Cap.
tain McCauley dropped anchor to
make observations and get bearings
while the destroysrs formed . semi
circle about the Presidents ship
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