The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1919-04-09
PRESIDENTS SHIP
TO SAIL FRIDAY
The Geo. Washington Ordered to
France Immediately.
CABLEGRAM FROM BENSON
MIR. Wilson Would Be in Posi-
ton to Leave France
Any Time.

Washington, April 8.-Specific in
structions from President Wilson that
the sailing of his steamer, the George
Washington, be expedited Immediately
were received today at the Navy De-
partment through Admiral William S.
Benson, chief of naval operations at
Paris. AS result the vessel will
leave New York for Brest at the
earliest opportunity, probably next
Friday afternoon.
Admiral Benson's message gave no
reason for the Presidents order and
the White House professed to have
no information on the subject, but
interpreting in the light of press dis
patches from Paris telling of the
Presidents determination that delays
at the peace conference must end,
most officials regarded it as signifi-
cant. Added Importance also was
given by the fact that this WITS the
second message from the admiral re-
garding the ships departure, the first,
received yesterday having inquired
as to the time the vessel could get
under way.
Benson's Cable.
Admiral Benson's cablegram to the
Navy Department was summarized in
this statement by Acting Secretary
Roosevelt:
Acting Secretary of the Navy
Roosevelt late today received cable
gram from Admiral Benson at Paris
requesting that the sailing of the u.
S. S. George Washington be expedited
. at once by the direction of the Presi-
dent. The u. S. S. George Washing
ton will therefore leave New York
at the earliest opportunity, probably
Friday afternoon, April H."
BY fast steaming the George Wash
= ington should reach Brest by April
II. She would be held there subject
to the Presidents orders, it was said,
and thus would be immediately avail
able in the event Mr.. Wilson should
decide TO cut short his stay at Paris
because of delays in agreeing on the
terms of peace. In some quarters it
was explained that without his ship
at a French port the President might
find himself in somewhat embarass-
ing position should he decide to leave
the French capital before the treaty
had been agreed upon.
Late press dispatches from Paris
indicated that a more hopeful view
as to the progress Of the peace ne
gotlations was entertained than had
been for several days and this view
was reflected in a cablcgram received
tonight by Secretary Tumulty from
Rear Admiral Grayson, the Prcsi-
dents personal physician, who report
ed that the general situation had i'm
proVed slightly.
Secretary Tumulty said he had not
been advised as to the situation which
hal led the President to order the
George Washington to Brest and that
Admiral GrayGon evidently had as
sur1"d Lhat Mr. Tumuty was cogni-
zant Of the state of affairs through
press dispatches.
The George Washington arrived at
New York from Brest March %, after
taking President Wilson back to
France and naval officials decided to
lay her up for a few weeks for an
oVerhauling. Mr.. Roosevelt explain
ed today that the ship, was not in
nee3 of any extensive repairs but that
it was regarded as desirable to do
sore work on her at that time.
when M went to the New York
nay yard officers estimated that she
woa:l b" ready to sail again next
Mo.Niay, bat on communicating with
the navy yard yesterday after recciv-
ing Admiral Benson's first message,
Mr.. Roosevelt found that the vessel
could start fou dayc earlier. 40
orders for her departure were issued
however, until after the receipt Of
tie second message from Admiral
Bcn son late today
a