The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-03
iieInan Emperor is Given Great
Ovation in Rome
WEATHER A LITTLE DREARY
King Victor Emanuel and Emperor
William Kiss Each Other Four
Times as the Latter Steps
Off the Train.

Rome, May ait was raining heavily
here this morning, thus disappointing
bitterly the Romans who had been hop
Ing for fine weather in which to welcome
the German emperor of this city.
The arrangements made for the recep-
ton for Emperor William were identical
with those for welcoming King Edward.
There were the same decorations and a
similar dis lay of troops. The Via
NazIonale. Swever. preserved its attrac-
tiveness. the downfall of rain having re-
suited in Frightening the verdure Of that
thoroughfare.
Emperor William Is a great favorite
with the Romans of all classes, owing
to the tact of the house of Hohenzollern,
regarding Italian national susceptibilities,
and therefore remarkably large and good
natured crowds gathered along the route
to be followed by the emperor In spite
of the depressing weather. Germans and
Italians fraternized for the occasion and
"Hoch, hoch hochs' for the German en-
peror was heard in the streets instead OF
the "hurrah. hurrah, hurrah' which had
so recently been shouted Tor the Brltisn
king.
Old Times Recalled.
People recollected that when King Vic
tor Emanuel IL died, Emperor Fred
erick (then German crown prince came
to Rome and appeared on the balcony or
the palace holding In his arms the present
king OF Italy, then Prince Of Naples.
The Rev. DR.. Nevin, rector of the Amer
lean church, entertained number OF
American guests and the French and
Spanish ambassadors on stand which he
nh ia
NNazionale. The French, Spanish and
Anerican flags were entwined about the
stand and the chimes of the church play
ed the German and Italian royal an
themF
AS the day wore on and the emperor
did not appear Aopie began to fee
anxious over the delay, especially as a
landslide caused by the recent heavy
rains had obstructed a portion or the
railroad about three hours ride from
Rome. over which the imperial train was
TO pass The feeling of anxiety was al
layed, however, by the receipt of a tele-
gram from the railroad officials who
had gone to the obstructed point an
| nouncing that they would be able to, cheer
the line shortly and the emperor's train
would only be delayed an hour.
King Drives to Station.
Shortly before the arrival Of the inn
perial train at Rome King Victor EN-
anuel and the Duke of Genoa drove In
state carriages to the railroad station,
where had already assembled Premier
Zardanelli, the cabinet ministers, the no.
bilities entitled to wear the collar of the
Annunziata and the chief court officials.
In the distance the Hohenzollern flag
could be seen floating from the tower OF
the quirinal
When the imperial train was signaleo
the guns of Monte Mario fort thundered
out salute, and before the train had
fully stopped at the station Emperor
William alighted, followed by the Crown
Prince Frederick William and Prince
Eitel The emperor greeted King victor
Emanuel with a warm embrace, the
soyereigns kissing each other four times
The italian and German princes then
exchanged greetings and Emperor VIII
liam reviewed the guard Of honor at the
station.
Quaint Ceremony.
On the Piazza Dele Terme, adjoining
the railroad station the quaint ceremony
of the mayor, Prince Colonna ana the
municipal authorities welcoming the
emperor to Rome was gone through. The
scene was really impressive, being a
mingling of ancient and modern customs
seen only in Italy.
ON one side were the recently COM
pIeted Esedra palaces, forming half
circle. with the new Via Nazionale be
ginning in its midst and separating the
palaces On the othe- side are the ruins
of the baths of Diocletian. The sover-
eiens were in modern carriages, tbs
mayor OF Rome and the municipal offi-
GERS in mediaeval coaches. The crowo
was 80 great that the soldiers and car
bineers had difficulty In maintaining or
der The cortege passed down the Via
Nazionale and up the Via Delquirnalt
a. a trot. and amid continuous cheers
alighted. At the foot Of the grand stair
case inside the palace their majesties
were met by Count Giantotti, the prefec'
of the palace. who escorted the emperor
and the German prince to the Svizzer
hall. where Queen Helena was In waiting
with the ladies of her household. The
emperor after greeting the queen, In
formed her that the German empress
had desired him to express her most SIN
cere regret that she was unable to ac
company him to Rome. In reply Queer
Helena said 1t was she, the king and th'
people Of Rome who deeply regretted
that the empress was unable to visi
Rome on this occasion.
The Piazza Del Quirinale was crowded
and the people continuously called fol
the German emperor to appear. FINAL,
he responded to the invitation and ap
peared on the balcony twice with Kinf
Victor Emanuel and Queen Helena ant
The German and italian princes. Th'
marty was greeted with enthusiastic
cheering, which on each occasion contin
ned for five minutes. Later in the da,
Emperor William went to the Pantheon
TO visit the tombs of King Victor EN-
anuei and King Humbert. on which
he placed wreaths after giving som'
roses from the wreaths to the cour
chaplain and to General Desonnase, thu
guardian Of Che tombs The crowds out
side the Pantheon applauded the EN-
beror
subsequently the German emperor
visited the queen mother. He was con
ducted into her presence by the Duke o.
serba. They had short but most cor
iia{ Interview.
TIE pope is much pleased at th'
sea,mnity and Importance with which
koeror william regards his cominI
to the vatican. His holiness will
Vent the emperor with mosaic o
Roman forum and mosaics OF th'
ew1tain Trevi and the CASTILLO Sain
lblo. both after his holiness own de