Arizona republican., 1919-02-21
PRESIDENT CONVOY DISABLED IN STORM
 RUNS ON ALL ALONE
New Mexico Delayed By
 Turbine Trouble - De- stroyers Forced To Lag Others Ships To Escort

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2o.-The presi- dential ship George Washington is proceeding to Boston through heavy weather without naval convoy, the navy department was advised tonight by radio. The conveying battleship New Mexico, stripped one of her tur- bine engines and was forced to drop out of the fleet, while heavy weather made it necessary for the destroyer flotilla to leave the liner.
 The message said the destroyers ex- pected to rejoin the George Washing ton when the weather moderated. In the meantime however, Secretary Dan iels has ordered the cruiser Denver to put to sea to meet the big liner. The accident to the New Mexico affected only the port steam turbine and she still is able to maintain a speed of 15 knots an hour. The dreadnaught the only electrically driven battleship in the navy, reported that she would continue to handle radio traffic as long as she remained in touch with the presidential ship.
 Destroyer Held Back
 The message from the New Mexico made no mention of any damage to the dttroyers, merely saying the
 
 down. The George Washington ap- | parently was making good speed. all though officials here believed she prob ably would be delayed somewhat in reaching Boston.
 The destoyers win follow the presi- dential ships course and when the weather moderates they will speed LID in hope of overriding the big liner and accompanying her into Boston harbor
 The accident to the New Mexico is not an unusual one naval officers said but the message did not reveal it's cause. The bi- battleship, which only recently was commissioned is pro ceeding to the nearest Atlantic maya I base under the power of one turbine. No apprehension for her safety is en- tertained by navy officials.
 North Carolina Come Up
 ON BOARD THE U. S. S. GEORGE l WASHINGTON, Feb. 20. Il a. m.-(Bv Wireless to The Associated Press)- The steamer George Washington, on which President Wilson is returning to the United States, was in full wireless communication again today, after be- ing intermittently cut off from com munication for A hours
 After leaving the conveying torpedo boat destroyers behind in the heavy seas Tuesday. trouble developed or board the battleship New Mexico which put that vessel out of the convoy and today the George Washington ha. been proceeding alone.
 The battleship North Carolina i. coming up for the purpose of relayine wireless communication
 All has been going well on board the George Washington. The president has alternately worked and taken exercise
 Besides the formal message dis. patched to Premier Clemenceau, Presi- dent Wilson expressed his deep con cern for the French premier and hope for his rapid recovery.
 Today the George Washington is running through better weather. The course of the vessel is constantly be- ing shortened in order to make up for the loss in tiwe that has been ex- perienced
 Destroyers Ordered Out NEWPORT, R. l., Feb. 20.-The de. !, stroyers Gamble, Mereeith and Hard ing have been ordered bv the com. } mandant of the second naval distric to proceed to sea tonight and escor . the steamer George Washington, witt 7 the presidential party, to Boston.