The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-01
CRUISER
GIVEN A WELCOME
Gala Day on Board His
Majesty's Good Ship
Etruria.

Today is a gala day aboard His Ma
jesty King Victor Emanuers armored
cruiser Etruria. Sons and daughters Of
sunny Italy who are citizens Of the
American Capital by adoption, are pay
ing homage to the Officers ana crew OF
the Etruria. which is snugly anchored
in the harbor on the Arsenal
GraZie amici. meaning in our own
mother tongue, you are welcome, is
the greeting with which the sunbrowned
officers and sailors Of the cruiser are
receiving their cOuhtrymen and women
as they pass up the extended gangway
ship.
And this welcome is reflected in the
atmosphere Of hospitality that pervades
the vessel, in the popping of corks mat
awaken echoes in mess room and on
deck, and not a little bit in the shiny
brass trimmings Of the six-guns. which
today are not "bristling from their
portfolios" as naval writer's would say.
Nothing Warlike.
No! there is nothing warIike aboard
the Etruria today. To the contrary,
the dove Of peace is perc1ed on cannon
u
Captain the Count NJ Leonardo Case
line to the humblest mess boy the slo-
gan of welcome is ''gTazie amici"
The days festivities began at II
O'Clock this morning when representa-
tiyss Of the United Italian Societies Of
Washington visited the cruiser 10 ex-
tend greeting to the Italian King
sea fighters The hour was not pro-
pitiOus for the elaborate ceremony which
the Italian organizations had prepared.
but what was lacking in sunny skies was
made up in the warmth OF fluctuations
expressed by all.
Ship Shining.
The early morning hours had been oc-
cupied with cleaning ship, and by the
time the visitors began TO arrive the
Etruria's decks had been swabbed from
bow to stern. not a spar nor a rope was
out of its place. and the officers ard
crew looked their best in immaculate
uniforms Of white and blue.
Just before the Italian Society repre-
sentatives, rOwed to the EtruTia by
twelve stalwart jackies in the cruisers
lcnF boat, finished their inspection of
the ship. big bouquet of American
4SCcANAS -pNNSf NAtS oAAN VI the ANat4dM ~
cieties, was placed on the forward deck
for the sailors to see and admire
To the basket in which the roses came
was attached the flags of Italy nd the
United States. while a silk streamer
bore this legend; LII Societa Italiani di
Washington. All EtruTia "
President V. di Gforgio, of the United
Italian Societies, who was spokesman,
and who made the presentation speech,
told how the Italian heart sWelled with
pride at the sight Of so gallant a ship
as the Etruria.
Toast To His Majesty.
When the cheering aad subsidized,
Captain Gasoline spoke Or Italian) OF
the appreciation he. his 1ellow officers,
and the crew felt because of the good
feelings expressed by their compatTiots.
Lorenzo Del GiornO, representative OF
the L'Opinione, an Italian daily pub
Iished in Philadelphia, ana John Boz
zacco, representing the Italian Evening
Bulletin OF New York. also spoke in a
similar vein and offered a toast to his
majesty, which patriotic reference
evoked a lot of hearty applause from
the Etrurias crew.
When the little speecnmaking cere-
mOny was over the cruiser officers In
vited their visitors below decks, where
they gathered around a long mahogany
table and pledged tOasts IN their native
Vintages.