The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-05-25
BAKER SAYS U.S.
TROOPS AREON
WAY TO ITALY.
Announces Infantry. Ma
chine Guns and Artillery
Will Soon BE There.
AFTER JOINT VICTORY
Hughes Praises Work Of
Ally in Its Struggle in
Present War.
METROPOLITAN CROWDED
Wild Cheering Greets Speak
cr> at Celebration Of Ma
tion's Entry Into War.
AFTER JOINT VICTORY
METROPOLITAN CROWDED

secretary Of War Baker announced in
Metropolitan Opera HOUSE last night
'hr concert celebrating the third
Iivo"sary of Itaiys entrance into the
that American troops-infantry.
- hire guns and artillery-wlil soon
1r on the Italian battle front
'ic Vis'oned this as taking place in the
ut distant future" and said that just
Incr;ca and the Allies are standing
'oulier TO shoulder in the western line
hey would make OF the Italian front
composite of the civilized nations Of
nc world, English, French. Italian and
-'nerican. fighting together with a COM
'-unity OF interests, a community Of sac
'ice. common determination and a
common courage. In order that they may
secure, common, victory for the benefi,
tf all mankind"
Audience Pleased.
This official prediction suited the tenn
Ter OF the audience exactly. At least
ha'f OF the thronS that filled all che
seats in the opera house and all the
standing room was italian. Their ex-
ultant shouting and tias waving how
ever. was no more spontaneous than
hat Of their American comrades who
helped in a session Of clapping and cheer
.-- that caused Mr.. Baker 10 suspend
lis :perch for Il moment or two.
Feeling OF quite another sort was
stirred when the Secretary OF War re-
'srred to the sinking If the British
transport -Moldavia. He was speaking
e tie periis OF transportation when ne
alled
Even tonight learn that a trans
''rt carrying soldiers has been lost,
'ot am happy to tell you with slight
rs Of life, As yet | don't know how
Ir.ar. but it is said TO be slight. And
'ett message called very vividly to my
l'rt tive picture of that submarine in
I'd e", AS the American soldier and
.lUr must face it,"
trn""nrem ement = SWrpriSe.
IN the audience there were OF course
~ persons whose sons or brothers are
the'r way to France. Mr.. Bakers
''rl was the first they had heard Of the
s'ftlng Of a troop ship. \ murmur OF
.rtamalions ran through the assembly
q here and there woman gasCed
Holy and hero and there a man hur-
u outside 20 telephone newspaper
''''a FOR particulars.
Nr, BAKER continuing. praised with
90 measure the superb behavior" Of
r American navy and said, echo!hg
Lloyd Georges statement earlier i'll the
Gag:
II fills me with happiness to be able
s1y with confidence and assurance
Of the submarine is growing less and
80 The peril OF the deep that We arc
i|-ier.ng that viper by the ingenuity Of
>slots'
tH.- started The cheering again.
rN's concert Was given for the Italian
n ross under the auspices OF the
.' 'w'rrs Society under the patron
-. - resident Wilson. who sent a
!'',r r-ld ny the president Of the So
>, 'harlss r.. Hughes and OF Macchi
i.' .N'rn. TIC Italian Ambassador. and
!. Ep4gtess ID CeIiere.
Uugh-. Also speaks.
Inc speahcrs. in addition to Mr..
j., ~s~, We're Mr. Hughes and Count Di
''he'r- The concert part Of the pro-
"nmo with singing by many Metro
l''l'd" artists. including Caruso. Marti-
h"'h, Mime Frances Aida, Amato. Miss
-"hd case, Scott. Kathleen Howard.
l ''aud!a Muzio and Giuseppe De Luca,
| Nas directed by Giulio Gatti-Casazxa,
! general manager Of the Metropolitan
tpera Company.
Programmes were sold at 81 apiece
young women. and the house was
s'H ont at good prices, parrerre seats
t'nE!us So.
Nine, AIDA received $4,000 for
souvenir progra mme which she auc-
t"ned. The buyer was william Payne
thompson. The total receipts were
0.ooG
90" Metropolitan orchestra opened
tye concert with the Royal italian
"srch, while q standard bearer waved
great Italian nag to and fro at the
p'ck OF the stage. and when the Metro
loIltan chorus Gang The star spangied
Banner the nag kept on waving and
TIE 1900 persons in the theatre rose.
Gives Dakes Cse.
Mr.. Hughes. arousing the audisncs
WV glowing tribute to the italian
,e'ort in the war; which he said Nd not
s7en sufficiently praised. gave ~. Baker.
70 spoke later. the cue tor his an
co"tia~sd on SevsStA PsOe.