Big welcome for President Wilson during historic visit to Britain

Manchester, 31 December 1918 - President Wilson, who is currently on a historic visit to Britain, last night told a gathering in Manchester that America has never had a vested interest in European politics – and has none still. However, to cheers, he added that America did have an interest in the ‘partnership of right between America and Europe’.

The U.S. had earlier stated that until now, the world had been governed by a ‘partnership of interest’ which had broken down. ‘Interest does not bind men together’, he said. ‘Interest separates men, for the moment there is the slightest departure from the nice adjustments then jealousies begin to spring up. There is only one thing than can bind people together, and that is a common devotion to right.’

The speech at Manchester Free Trade Hall was the latest in a busy itinerary for the U.S. President, who has been enthusiastically received by politicians and the public alike.

The visit signals not just the opening of a new era of internationalism; it also marks new phase in the relationship between the UK and the US. When President and Mrs Wilson were honoured at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, King George began his toast by acknowledging the groundbreaking nature of their visit:

‘Nearly 150 years have passed since your Republic began its independent life, and now for the first time a President of the United States is our guest in England.’

The king stressed the historic ties between the two countries and emphasised the president’s mission in Europe was to help in ‘building up new states amid the ruins of those the war has shattered, and in laying solid foundations of a settlement that may stand firm because it will rest upon the consent of emancipated nationalities.’

The president and his party arrived in Britain on 26 December, landing at Dover on board the special steamship, Brighton, which was welcomed with a 21 gun salute fired from vessels flying the stars and stripes from their masthead.

From Dover, Mr Wilson travelled by train to London where the reception party included the King and Queen (who postponed a visit to Norfolk to attend), Princess Mary, the heads of the army, navy and air forces, Prime Minister Lloyd George and all his ministers.

According to the USA Committee on Public Information, two million Londoners lined the streets to witness the president then proceed through the city.

Even the Queen herself was swept up in the enthusiasm of the moment – she was seen waving a small American flag on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]