The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-07-24
MR.. LATIMER WRITES AGAIN.
He Tells of His Trip Through Italy
His Reception by the king-obser-
vations of the Places and People
Visited

/ Visited.
Geneva, Switzerland, July I'm
my last letter I stated that we were
leaving Palermo for Naples. we took
a. boat from the former place at 7.S0
o. n1., reaching Naples the next morn
ing. leaving Mr.. Bennet at Palmero to
return along the north side of the
Island Of Stella to Messina, and then
to investigate conditions in Calabrla
and Basilica. On our arrival at Ma
pies we gathered cur baggage togeth-
er and proceeded to Rome, where an
audience had been arranged with the
King and with the Minister of Agri-
culture and Commerce.
Our reception by the King was
very pleasant. He spoke English flu
entity, and we found him we'll posted
with regard to conditions in the Uni
ted States. He had considerable
knowledge of the climatic conditions,
as we'll as Of the crops grown in the
different sections Of our country, and
deplored the fact that most Of the
Italian immigrants to the United
States are settling in the cities instead
of going to the rural districts and en-
gaging in agricultural pursuits with
which they are familiar. He referred
to the fact that the criminal classes
in Italy predominant in the cities. as
| in the United States, adding that the
peasants made better citizens for US
than those who come from the cities.
The disposition of the King found
| TO be that Of plain unassuming man.
It was easy to see that he was averse
i to pomp and glanor and the usual
trapping Of royalty, and in mis- con-
versation with US he evinced a deep
| interest in the welfare of the common
people. It is customary, when ap-
| preaching the King during an audi
ence to make three bows, one on en-
tering the door, AND. the other two
while drawing near nim; but in our
case Immediately aftgs We had made
our bow on entering the door he
came forward and shook hands. The
| conversation went along in an easy
and informal manner for about an
hour, touching upon the comparative
| condition Of the peasants Of this
country and our farming classes, as
well as the products Of the farm, the
amount of land cultivated and the
remuneration Of the laboring man.
! After our audience with the king,
we visited the minister Of agriculture
and commerce, and it was necessary
to have the services Of an Interpreter,
as he knew no English. We found
him thoroughly posted on agricultu-
raj matters. and he agreed to furnish
answers to a list Of questions that we
left with him. Mr.. Rossi, one of the
Italian commissioners Of emigration.
was very courteous to US and gave us
2 great deal Of information in regard
to the whole subject. We gathered
from these officials that Italy is a
great deal more prosperous than 1t
was was eight to ten years ago, and
that the people here are sharing
somewhat in the prosperous condition
that prevails in the United States.
While in Rome we could not fail
to observe on every hand the ruins OF
the ancient city. There was abundant
evidence of its early richness and
greatness-of the time when Rome
was mistress Of the world-the mag
/ uifcent Coliseum, the palaces OF
| the old emperors. the forum and the
famous Appian Way. the military road
built by the Romans more than TWO
thousand years ago. This road was
once lined with beautiful palaces and
villas and tonbs all the way IRON
Rome to Naples, but now there IS
nothing but ruins all along the road.
This road, by the way, has been con-
|stantlv in use for upwards Of 1000
years and is in fine condition today
showing in spots the old Roman
method Of paving. and the country
adjoining the road is now used only
for farms and pasture lands.
While at Rome the commission
held meeting and decided to divide
the territory, giving to Messrs. Ben
net and Howell Greece, Turkey
Smvrna. Asia Minor. Southwestern
Russia and the country thereabouts;
to Mr.. Burnett and myself. Northern
italy. France, Switzerland, Germany
part of Russia. working back along
the northern European coast to Great
Britain; and TO Messrs. Dillingham;
land Wheeler Austria, Hungary, part
of Russia and other territory in that
region.
Leaving Rome. we went to Flor
ence and say Consul Quay, brother
Of the late Senator Quay OF Pennsyl-
yanja. In the interview with him we
found that very few emigrants had
gone to the United States from this
section of Italy. He stated that the
principal industries are the weaving
OF straw for hats baskets, ETC.. and
high class Mosaic work. In addition
to this another important industry is
1t,,