The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-14
RUSSIA WELCOMES
VICTOR EMANUEL
ManyExpreSsions of Friendship
at State Banquet
PROOF OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP
Official Papers Extend to King of italy
and Declare That the Interests
Of the Two Countries Are
Mutual.
PROOF OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP

st. Petersburg. July 13.-Emperor
Nicholas H., wearing the chain of the
Order of the Annunziata: the Czarowitch
the Russian grand dukes. Count Lams-
dorff. the minister of foreign affairs, the
other cabinet ministers and number of
officers greeted King Victor Emanuel of
Italy upon his arrival at the railway sta
tlon here at 4:30 this afternoon. Preceded
by band playing the italian national
anthem, guard of honor escorted their
majesties to the palace. where the Car
inc and Dowager Empress welcomed
King Victor. A banquet in honor of the
royal guest was given in the hall of
Peter the Great in the palace. at which
the cabinet ministers. the members of
the Italian embassy and high court dig
nitaries were present. Count Lansdorff,
at the Cars command, handed to Sig
nor Prinetti Italian minister of foreign
affairs, who accompanied King Victor on
his arrival, the insignia of the Order of
st. Alexander Newski.
Interests Are Mutual.
Official papers extend to King Victor
a sympathetic greeting. declaring that
the int of Russia and Italy are an
Il ulStlC III no QUARTER WiditNSA.
the banquet the Car, In toastng the
King. said:
1T is with lively and deep satisfaction
that we greet your majesty, and lit is
especially agreeable to us that your ma
jesty has begun his travels by visiting
u.s. The whole of Russia sees therein a
fresh proof of the bonds of true friend
ship which unite us and Identifies itself
with our sentiments. These feelings of
mutual ayrrnafhv which arp inprea sin civ
apparent between our two peoples, favor
the development of the most desirable re-
lations and interests OF the two countries
l thank your majesty sincerely for your
visit and l raise my glass to the glory
and happiness of your august person, of
Queen Helene. of the Queen Dowager
and of the whole royal family. I drink
prosperity to Italy"
Band Plays italian Anthem.
The band then played the Italian an
them. King Victor Emanuel in reply
said
IT thank Your Majesty for your hearty
welcome and for the kind words with
which you have referred to me, to my
country, and to the ties of personal
friendship which heartily unite us. The
good relations which have long existed
between Russia and Italy make my visit
specially agreeable to me. l come to st.
Petersburg with the approval of my peo-
pie, who perceived in the closer drawing
together OF these bonds a fresh pledge
of peace and prosperity. I raise my glass
in honor of Your Imperial Majesty, to the
glory of the government and the prosper
ity Of Russia, to the Empress Maria, and
the Empress Alexandra as well as t.
| the whole IMPERIAL family
The Russian anthem was then rendered
by the band.
Reduction of Armaments.
Rome. July 13.-rhe representative
here Of the Associated Press learns from
high source that one of the principal
questions Of discussion between King
| Victor Emanuel and the Car will be
the reduction of ornaments The pres
ence of the King at st. Petersburg and
the re-establishment of friendly relations
between France and Italy are held tc
prove that the dual and triple alliances
have lost their original antagonistic
character and, therefore, the moment is
propitious for the discussion of disarma.
ment. The Italian papers recognize the
fact that the visit of the King to the
Gear marks the introduction of a new
and essentially peaceful element into Eu.
ropean politics.