The daily times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1902-1936, 1918-07-22
ITALY OBSERVED
OUR 4TH JULY
The Name of President Wilson
Was on Every Tongue.
The Address
OF AMBASSADOR PAGE
OF AMBASSADOR PAGE

Rome SHOWS LHdL Luc CelcUIdtlOu Vi
Americas independence Day-the
Fourth Of July-was almost as wide
spread in Italy as In the United
States. Special demonstrations were
held at Rome, Naples, Florence, Boil
ogna, Turin, Genoa, Ancona, Paler-
no, Catania, Perugia, Pudua, Aquila,
Milan, and other cities.
Throughout these centers the or
ganization was official but the re-
sponse was popular to a significant
degree.s Approximately 100000 en-
thusiastic people joined in the cele-
bration at Rome and the spirit every
where was the same. As one Italian
put TT "Italy's heart spoke'to Amer
ica."
President Wilson's name was on
everybody's tongue and almost uni
versally he was described as "The
President Of Humanity" He was
made an honorary citizen of both
Pari and Florence. Italy is still be-
decked with American flags and there
scenes to be popular inclination to
prolong the Independence Day cele-
bration. Both press and people ap-
parently grasp the idealism which
brought America into the war more
truly than ever. Editorial comment
on the Italian demonstrations were
most sympathetically coupled with
favorable reference to the Presi-
dents speech at Mount Vernon.
Rome on the Fourth was a mass
of red, whites and blue. More than
$4,000 small flags were distributed
by boy scouts and even taxi-cabs and
trolley cars flew our national colors.
The local celebration centered at the
Victor Emanuel monument which
Romans cah"The altar of the Coun-
try" A huge parade ended there
and the exercises were begun before
crowd estimated at more than
quarter of a million people. One at
tractive feature of the exercises was
the release of several hundred car
rir pigeons carrying "salutes to
America"
After the exercises at the Victor
Emanuel monument those who had
taken part paradted to the American
Embassy. There Honorable Barzilia
member of the Chamber of Deputies
presented to AbasSador Page this res
olution adopted by the people of
Rome: From the Altar of the Faith
erland the government and the peo-
pie on the anniversary of the birth of
America sends this expression of it's
admiration and gratitude to the gen.
erous American nation and it's leader
defending the liberty of the world"
Concluding his address Barzilai said
Tell President Wilson and all the
noble people who are united with
him that the faith, the sacrifice anu
the conservation of the American ma
tion constitutes the greatest aid that
could be given us on the rough road
to victor"
Ambassador Page replied in part
as follows:
During one hundred and forty
two years this day has been dedicat-
ed by Americans to the cult of liber-
ty. At first it was dedicated only to
American liberty, then gradually it's
significance was extended and today
we celebrate here in Italy upon the
altar of Patria of liberty Of Italy and
the liberty of the world. AS a repre-
sentative of the President of the
United States Of America, who, in
the name of the democracy over
which he presides, has raised his
voice for the liberty of mankind
throughout the world, | again de-
clare to you that our cause is eternal
and immoral like Rome, is victorious
like Divine justice and all the re-
sources of the United States in men
and wealth are dedicaed to this cause
which cannot perish. :.
American help comes also to Italy
The starrw banner is found today up
ON your hills. Although our soldiers
here are still few our flag is the
symbol Of those millions of Ameri-
cans In the United States whose ma
tional holiday we celebrate. Through
out the United States there is no city,
village or hamlet where Iatly is not
beloved and everywhere the people
cherish Der al a guardian Of liberty"