Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-04-28
ROME FETES EDWARD VII
Four Hundred Thousand Persons Greet
King on Streets
DECORATIONS ARE ON LAVISH SCALE
scheme Designed TO show Italy as
Birthplace of Music and Poetry
Is Carried out Under ON
ciaI Direction.

ROME, April 27.-King Edward arrived
here from Naples this afternoon, and was
received by King Victor Emmanuel in
person, who escorted the visiting sovereign
through densely packed streets amid a
great popular ovation.
King Edward, who was standing on the
platform Of his railroad car, when the
train reached the station, descended alone
almost before the train stopped. King
Victor Emmanuel stepped forward and the
monarchs embraced and kissed each other
several times. the Italian king saying
quite audlbly. in English, II welcome you
with all my heart to Rome"
Americans Greet Monarch.
The crowds along the route followed by
the kings numbered 100000, including TO-
900 to $4,000 British and a great many
Americans, as shown by the number Of
stars and stripes displayed. The diploma
tic body not being among those who well
coined King Edward at the station, the
ambassadors. ministers and foreign ofiicials
witnessed the passage of the cortege from
various points of vantage.
The United States ambassador, Mr.. Meyer
and his family, had balcony in the mid
die OF the villa Nazionale. 1t was decor
ated with American colors.
The center of the American manifesto
tion was at the American Episcopal church,
st. Paurs, which was decorated with
American and Italian flags. The church
being on the route Of the procession, the
rector DR.. Nevin, erected a large stand
where about 5000 guests we're seated, when
the two sovereigns approached the church
they were pleasantly greeted by hearing
the chimes Of the church play God Save
the King" followed by the Italian royal
march.
King Edward recognized the courtesy OF
the embassy by saluting and signalling.
Seldom before had the city been so sumpt-
uously decorated. The streets and build
ings we're brilliant with flowers, with flags
and draperies and on all sides we're to be
seen entwined the nags OF Italy and Great
Britain.
POpuIace Calls for Edward.
The most imposing moment Of the recep-
tion was shortly after King Edward en-
tered the Quirinal. The plaza below was
| packed with 5000 people, who cheered
his majesty frantically, till he was obliged
to appear twice on a balcony with Queen
Helena on his right end King Victor En-
manuel on his left, and supported by the
crowd OF Italian princes.
The spectacle was a remarkable one. Al
his feet was the excited populace OF Rome
| voicing the sentiments of all Italy; against
! the horizon on his right was the colossal
dome Of st. Peters, glistening under the
flaming rays of the setting sun. while frown-
| ing above the historic Janiculum hill with
| the statue of the national hero, Garibaldi
| in front the tower Of Nero, to the left the
| ruins OF ancient Rome King Edward BY
his gestures, clearly expressed the deep.
est appreciation OF the significance OF the
scene
After a short rest at tho Qulrinal, Kip'
Edward re-entered his carriage, and es
corted by the cuirrasiers visited the queer
mother, and then returned to the palace
Later he went TO the British embassy
where he remained until Z, holding a re
ception OF the English residents Of Rome
He then returned to the Quirinal AM
dined privately with the king and queen
The streets all the time were lined Will
enormous crowds who loudly cheered tn
| British sovereign.
The decoration OF the streets and publ
and private buildings was on a scale o
lavish splendor and was carried out unde
the direction OF Signor Bifarieller, tn
sculptor, and Slgnor Matalome, the painter
Their plan OF decoration carried out tn
idea of fetes commemorating the peace o
the world. Italy as the birthplace of fin
arts and poetry, welcoming the royal an
imperial guest. Along the route huge pill
lars topped with Roman eagles and gar
landed with flowers and vines had bee
erected. At the commencement of the vi
Nazionale was ball twenty feet in diam
etor surrounded with laurel and myrtle
At the sides of this large sphere wer
symbolic representations of the fine artI
music, the sciences and agriculture.