Omaha daily bee., 1919-06-30
WILSON LEAVES
FRANCE AFTER
PEACE SIGNED
U. S. S. George Washington,
Carrying Presidential Party,
Steamed From Harbor Of
Brest 2::2O P. M. Sunday.
LITTLE EXCITEMENT TO
MARK THE DEPARTURE
President Seemed Pleased to
Get Aboard Vessel; Sa-
lutte Speeds Departure

Brest, June 29-(By the Associ-
ated Press.)-President Wilson
sailed from Brest Sunday on his re-
turn to the United States. The U.
S. S. George Washington, carrying
the presidential party, steamed from
the harbor at 2.20 p. m.
The departure of the president
from France caused little excitement
in this port. There was only a dis
tance of fifty feet from where his
special train stopped to where
motor launch was waiting to convey
him to the George Washington.
There was little cheering and ap-
plause from the several thousands
who had gathered at the embarka-
ton pier. A procession of social
lists, singing the "Internationale," I"
debouched from the Rue Siam as
the president walked across the pier
The president waved his silk hat to
the paraders.
Gathered on the wharf were
French and American officials. The
first to greet the president were Ad-
miral H. Salaun and Admiral E. N,
Benoit of the French navy. Rear
Admiral A. S. Halstead of the Amer
lean navy and Maj. Gen. E. A. Hell
mick and Brig Gen. Smedley But
ler greeted the president in turn.
Roses Given Mrs. Wilson.
Mrs. Wilson was presented with
a bouquet of Brittany roses by Mrs.
Josephine Lewis of Cincinnati, rep
resenting the American Red Cross
in France. Mrs. Wilson wore navy
blue tailored dress and a handsome
but simple little hat apparently the
latest creation from the Rue de la
Paix. She smiled and thanked Mrs.
Lewis and then chatted briefly with
her. Mrs. Wilson appeared tired
and fatigued and apparently was in
hurry to reach the launch.
Bands Godspeed President.
The band of the Tenth Chausseurs
played The Star Spangled Banner"
and the Marseillaise as the presi-
dent descended the steps in the
launch. As the launch went into
the stream a company of marines
and veterans of the User presented
arms, while cries of "Vive Wilson," !"
"Vive America" "Vive La Paix,"
arose. The president stood aft on
the launch waving his hat at the
crowd on the national bridge. The
launch was lost to view down the
harbor just as the socialist parade
reached the cliffs overlooking the
harbor.
Retire to Staterooms.
This is America" were the presi-
dents words as he shook hands with
Capt. Edward McCauley, aboard the
George Washington. The president
and Mrs. Wilson retired to their
staterooms as the engines and ma
chinery began to roar and final or
ders were given. Luncheon was
served at l o'clock and the meal
had just been completed when the
George Washington began to make
headway out of the harbor. The
battleship Oklahoma led the way.
The destroyers Woolsey and Tar
bell were on the port and starboard
sides, while the Wickes and Yarnell
brought up the rear.
AS the transport moved out the
president appeared on the bridge
wearing cap. Rear Admiral
Grayson, his physician, stood near
by. The president was silent as he
gazed at the disappearing shores of
France.
The weather was perfect and
there was scarcely a ripple on the
ocean as the Washington emerged
from the Brest roads into the At
lantic. The French destroyers
Fanion and Carquois escorted the
presidential squadron to the Ushana
lights. After saluting with their
sirens and guns the French war
ships returned to Brest.
AS the George Washington dis
sappeared in the summer haze, the
president stood on the bridge wav-
ing a farewell salute of the French