The Detroit times., 1910-03-23
HALLS MORGAN As
MODERN MAE CENAs
Most Enlightened of Our Time" He
Is Called in Rome Committees
Invitation.

ROME, March 23.-The acceptance
by j. +. Morgan Of the honorable presi-
dency OF the foreign committee Tor
Tie artistic festival TO be held in Rome
IN 1911 has given great satisfaction
tc all concerned. and especially TO
ether American members OF the com.
nhttee. who are proud OF being thus
headed. The remarkable letter by
which Mr.. Morgan was invited 10 this
nigh position ran as follows
Sir: Rome is preparing TO cele-
hrate the fiftieth anniversary OF the
proclamation OF the kingdom OF Italy
by a series of manifestations OF ancient
and modern art, among them a retros-
receive exhibition IN the Castel SAINT
Angelo. which will assuredly have the
greatest success.
This monument, uniquet In the
world, and on which more than 10 cen
turtles have left the traces OF their
passage, will be an admirable setting
for the evocation OF the past. Its I'M
mense halls, with walls OF formidable
thickness. decorated by painters such
IS Perrin del Vaga and Giulio Romano.
offer at the same time conditions or
absolute safety against every danger
give the objects exhibited an eclat
Without parallel.
I'VE propose TO unite In these halls
q restricted number OF art objects and
furniture which will set off the sumI-
tuous apartments in all the magnih-
cence of The past: but to arrive at this
object We need the powerful help OF
all those who feel profoundly the cult
OF the beautiful and the love OF that
city OF Rome In which is centered the
universal movement OF art at all times.
and which through her souvenirs. her
connection with all countries in the
world. and through the affection by
which she Is surrounded on all sides,
tan truly be considered as a anniversary
country.
1T is. therefore. very natural, Sir
that our first thought should turn 10
YOU, whose enlightened taste. profound
knowledge. and gene~osiy without
limit have made YOU the most enlight'
cned Maecenas Of our time. and who
mas given Italy living proofs OF sym
pathy for which we preserve sincere
gratitude. A foreign committee mas
hig Hletl fihuopfam tslann rlat sh,
been constituted. chosen from the
highest pcrsonages Of art and politics,
with the object of aiding us in our
aim.
I'VE come to you today to ask you
TO be the honorary president or this
committee, as no one IS Sworthier than
you. and no one could Insure us more
powerful support"
Count San Ma:tino. who signed the
letter. is the president OF the projected
celebration and one OF the most nota'
lie figures in Roman society. He has
occupied most important positions and
recently married, taking over for his
residence the splendid apartment
which Francis McNutt. when private
chamberlain TO the pope, occupied IN
the historic PalazZo Doria in the Corso
Umberto l.
Il is interesting to note that while
Count San Martinos letter TO Mr.. MOT
gan was written In French, the answer
was in italian. Mr. Morgan, after hav-
ing acknowledged the kind words ad-
dressed to him, said;
II feel that the honor conferred
mon me Is a return for the deep love
which | nourish for this marvellous
metropolis. for this 'orbis compen-
oinm' OF art and modern civilization,
md in this spirit accept the high ap-
tointment.
II shall do all in my power to insure
;he SUCCESS of the Retrospective AT
exhibition at the Castel SAINT Angelo,
(avoring the large participation of the
United States in 1t and only being
sorry that my many occupations 40
net permit me to dedicate much time
70 the work OF the foreign committee
10 the presidency OF which have been
called"