The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-14
President George Ward Gave Splendid Address
 of Welcome for
 the City SENATOR MARCONI, WIRELESS INVENTOR, GIVEN BIG OVATION Distinguished Visitors Ex- press Appreciation of America and of the Cordial Reception
 Given Them
By JEFF BAILEY

Birmingham feels better this morning, for the inventor of the wireless telegraph was here yesterday-Senator Marconi of the Italian kingdom. Birmingham feels better toward her Italian citizens, and they feel better toward Birmingham and her citizens. On yesterday the city of Birmingham entertained, and most roy ally too, distinguished sons of sunny Italy. The spirit of brotherly love, broth CTS fighting in a common cause, permeat- ed the meeting of Italians and Americans in Birmingham yesterday and last night, and both enjoyed it immensely. Local Italian citizens are proud of their Amer ican friends and brothers, for Brming ham extended hospitality in no unms- taken manner to those of Italian nobility and prestige, who came within her gates for the evening, as the mission from the royal Italian government.
 The nota ble visitors, besides several sec retaries and attaches, were;
 Enrico Arlotta, member of the royal cabinet, holding the portfolio of minister of transportation; Guglielmo Marconi, in ventor of the wireless, and perhaps the most interesting figure on the mission board from an American standpoint; Marquis Luigi Borasarelli di Rifreddo, under secretary of foreign affairs, and member of the Italian House of Representatives since 1S90 Francesca Saverio Nitt. well known over the world to students of economies and for merly minister of industry and com merce; Augusta Ciuffel, a representa- tive of the legislative branch of the Ital ian government at the present time.
 VISITORS ARRIVE
 The special train bearing the Italian mission arrived in Birmingham at 6;20 and the visitors were met by the recep- ton committee named by President George B. Ward of the city commission and escorted to the waiting automobiles, which formed in line and headed the pa rade, followed by over 20o0 Italians and Americans on foot The Second regiment, Memoli's and Nappis bands furnished the music at the station and in the pa rade The guests were distributed in cars with the members of the committee on reception, heads of the local Italian societies and members of the city com mission. The line of march included Fifth avenue to Twentieth street, thence to First avenue and back to the Tut wiler, where the parade disbanded and speeches were made from the porch of the Tutwiler by Hon. Augusta Cuifeli, member of the Champer of Deputies, Marquis Luigi Borsarelli, under secretary of state for foreign affairs, and Senator of the Kingdom Gugielmo Marconi, whom the crowd loudly cheered. Senator Marconi spoke in English, much to the delight of the Amreicans who were eager for a few words from the distinguished inventor.
 Following the brief speechmaking on the porch, the party was escorted to the dining room on the ground floor of the Tutwiler, where the dinner was served. Judge B. M Allen acted as toastmaster and acquitted himself admirably
 ADDRESS OF WELCOME
 Mayor George B. Ward was introduced by MT. Allen and he made a splendid speech of welcome, in which he said it gave him unlimited pleasure to take part m the entertainment of the distinguished sons of Italy who had honored Bir- mingham by coming to this city on their tour and that he wanted to tell them that Birmingham was proud of her ltal- ian citizens and that they were energetic, thrifty, patriotic citizens and scarcely ever broke the municipal laws.
 q want you men to know that Amerl- ca will raise her lib erty loan, and that we are glad to be able to send money, munitions and men to aid the allies and especially are we glad that we can help Italy conquer the central powers
 Judge Allen made few remarks before introducing the next speaker, saving: "I wish to express to our dis tinguished visitors the honor they have shown us in coming to Birmingham. Every Italian ought to be proud he Is a descendant of the Roman people. The Italian people have contributed much to American culture, music and science. The war that we are allied in today is the most gigantic that the world has ever known. Italy is holding Aus tria out of France today until we get reay to fight. And we are getting ready. too. Men, money and munitions are what you need in France today, and we have got all of them. We are not joining this fight for territory. for God knows that we have enough al- ready-you have seen that as you have travelled over our country-but we are fighting for freedom for you people and
 fCOntinued on Page Seven)