Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-06
ITALY AND AMERICA
PLEDGE FRATERNITY
Toasts of Friendship Drunk at
Luncheon by Ambassador
and Mrs. Page.
MISSION HONOR GUESTS

Especial cnbIegram to The Sunday Stal
and New York Times.)
ROME, May 5.-The appointment OF
the special mission to America, which
has been the occasion Of frequent Italo.
American demonstrations. eliminated
today in a brilliant gathering in the
Pa1azzo del Drago. the residence OF Am.
bassador Page, where he and Mrs. Page
entertained the members of the mis-.
sion at luncheon. The utmost cor
diality reigned, expressions of fraternity
between Italy and America being the
order of the day.
The luncheon had a special political
Importance, owing to the presence OF
the head Of the government. ministers
and members of parliament. Premier
Roselli sat at the right of Mrs Page
who had on her left Signor Carcano
minister of the treasury. The ambas-
sador had at his right Signor Orlando
minister of the interior; at his left Sig
nor Morrone, the minister of war.
Among the other guests were SignoI
Borsarelli, undersecretary of state for
foreign affairs; Duke Borea Dolmo
grand master of ceremonies of the
court; Senator Marconi, ex-Minister
CluHell, commentators LII MartlnO, Ql-
rector general of the foreign office
Commentators Cancellieri, head of the
premier's staff. George Page, cousin OF
the ambassador and head of the Com
mercial Bank here, besides the staff OF
the embassy.
Ambassador Proposes Toast.
After luncheon Ambassador Page
rose. saying:
II wish to propose a toast to Italy
to the great King Of Italy, the real
leader of his people; to the illustrious
head of the government; to your val.
orous army and brilliant navy; also to
the distinguished commission just leav-
ing to bear across the seas to my be-
loved country the fraternal greetings
of the country of Columbus, Vespucci
and so many noble patriots, which now
with America, ably guided by our wise
President, stands shoulder to shoulder
championing with the democracies OF
the world the holy cause of liberty for
the future salvation of humanity"
Premier Boselli responded:
Il thank my illustrious hosts for the
sentiments expressed, reaffirming the
fraternity of America and Italy in the
present war for justice and civilization
l lift my glass in honor of President
Wilson. who. with the highest elo-
quence, proclaimed the inviolability of
right, predicting that the future of hu-
man societies would have it's guaran-
tees only in peace and liberty. l salute
with a warm heart the great American
people, to whom the prince of the house
of Savoy, a valorous sailor. together
with eminent citizens, carried q strong,
affectionate handclasp in the name of
the Italian king and people. I drink
to the ambassador, who, with wisdom
and geniality, has worked and is still
working SO efficiently for the intimate
union of the two peoples. 1 drink to
the charming ambassadoress, in whom
salute American idealism and also the
idealism of Italy, which she knows and
loves SO tenderly."
Both toasts were constantly inter-
rupted by enthusiastic applause.
Greatest Event of Day.
THE greatest event of the day is still
Americas participation in the war with
the allies" said Admiral Lacaze, the
French minister of the navy, in an in
terview published by the Giornale
d'Italia. adding:
This participation has high moral,
economic and financial value, besides
military Importance. as American as
sistance will be powerfully felt at sea.
The formidable actlVltieS OF American
dockyards will create one of the most
numerous mercantile fleets existing,
thus solving several problems with
which the allies are now confronted
Soon American ships will reach Euro
pean waters to chase the common
enemy"
After the luncheon Premier BoseIli
the ministers. members of the mission
and other guests visited the workroom
established by Mrs. Page in her own.
apartments. where they inspected the
work of American women and admired
the perfection of the articles made for
Italian soldiers, including those wound
ed and Ill. The workroom uses only
goods coming from America. The pre-
mier was astonished to hear that this
private enterprise had already sent to
the front more than 100000 articles.