The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-15
AUDIENCE WITH KING
ADMIRAL SHERRY RECEIVED BY
 KING VICTOR EMMANUEL.
The King Expressed Ills Deep Appre- cfation for What America Had Done for Italy In Sympathy
 and Relief.

Rome, Jan. liking Victor Elm manuel received Rear Admiral Charles Is. sperry in private audience at the Quirinal Palace today. His Majesty conversed in English for more than half an hour.
 The voyage of the fleet he regarded as a most remarkable achievement. He had followed it's movements even to details. The King expressed his deep appreciation for what America had done for Italy, in sympathy and relief for those who had suffered in the earthquake. The Italian people will never forget the unanimous man. Hesitation of the American govern ment and the nation down to the humblest citizen. His Majesty alluded to the energy shown by MT. Griscom, the American ambassador. in prompt ly sending a cruiser to the spot. Rear Admiral Sperry. after the private au- dience. presented his stan to the King.
 The King talked with each member of the stan and expressed his pleas ure at being able to meet them. Admiral Mirabelio. the Italian min- ister of marine, took occasion at dinner last evening given by Ambas- sador and Mrs. Griscom in honor of Rear Admiral Sperry, to voice the
 
 the American people and the Ameri- can navy. Several distinguished off cers of the Italian navy were present and besides Rear Admiral Sperry and his stan, there was also among the guests four American officers and two midshipmen.
 Mir. Griscom proposed the health of King Victor Emmanuel and Admiral Mirabello that of President Roosevelt Ior khA AN,,A sl~ .1-Al expressing the gratitude of all Ital- fans for the succor which the Amer ican navy had given. The immensity of the disaster, he said, had brought forth splendid proof of the solidarity of humanity even beyond the ocean. Admiral Mirabello congratulated Ad- miral Sperry upon. the cruise which Is now approaching an end. This per formance of the American fleet, he said. had given material for thought to every navy. The admiral said he desired also 'to send affectionate salutations to my friend, Admiral Evans, a veteran of the civil war, who initiated this cruise, and to express to you, Admiral Sperry, my admiration for having worthily substituted him in the su- preme command"
 During the audience the King was very gracious. He had Admiral Sperry sit next him and conversed with him as though the American officer was an old friend.
 The conversation dealt mostly with the cruise of the Atlantic battleship fleet and Ills Majesty showed a strik- ing knowledge of everything connect ed with naval matters. even to their most minute details. frequently using naval idioms and colloquial express sions
 He Inquired at great length con- cerning gunnery and the. tactical work aboard the fleet and especially re- garding It's ability to maintain it's fir- ing effective condition and concern ing repairs.
 The King told Admiral Sperry- that from the different places where the fleet had stopped he had received records of the cruise, and that these he had read and studied. with great care.
 His Majesty said he considered the globe -circling tour one of the finest events in modern undertakings. He even entered with extraordinary of the American fleet and in so doing. demonstrated his intimate knowledge of foreign naval rules and organiza- tion.
 Several recoliections that His Majes- ty referred to during the audiences gave an indication of how closely he followed every particular connected with the men and events. In speaking of the American navy. its development and achievements, the King mentioned Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans, retired, and recalled with great pleasure having been aboard the battleship Kentucky at Genoa when Admiral Evans was returning home from the Chinese station. His Majes- ty asked Admiral Sperry the reasons for Admiral Evans retirement, desir- ing to know whether 1t was because he had reached the age limit or be- cause of the condition of his health. After the private audience King Vic- tor Emmanuel received Rear Admiral Sperry's staff. the members of which were surprised by the way in which he sized them up, seemingly scanning leach man from head to foot. Indeed, the officers declared afterwards that they, never went through such a close scrutiny during their careers. Before the audience had ended the King again congratulated Admiral Sperry and his officers saying that their exploits had shown honor to :heir country.
 Admiral Sperry immediately tele- graphed a report of the audience to the Navy Department at Washington.
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