The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-18

cad with interest by his Alabama friends. He writes:
 Turin, Italy. Dear Will; President Wilson has just
 completed the most remarkable trip through Italy that any man has ever made, not even excepting the triumphal
 entries into Rome of Caesar and other
 Roman conquerers- The latter were de- stroyers, and though they glorifled Ro-
 nan power there were always many who
 suffered because of their wars; and there were always internal dissentions in Rome
 which made a large proportion of the population hate the conquerors The
 Italians realize that the wars in which they have been fighting since the begin
 ming of their history have resulted only in destruction; and they want to have a chance to grow and develop in the indus trial and commercial world. They be- lieve that President Wilson has come to Europe to bring about a league of na- tions that will ensure peace and end war for all time. The Italians feel that the ideals of President Wilson as represent ing the people of the United States are those they themselves possess. In addition there is the most cordial feeling of the italians towards the Americans
 No one who has not been in Italy can
 realize what the return of Trentino and Trieste-"Italia Irridentia means to the Italians, and when President Wilson stip- ulated in one of the 14 conditions for peace that Austria should restore these provinces to Italy. the Italians recog- nized him and the country which he rep resents, understanding Italy's rights
 and aspirations. So that the welcome accorded to President Wilson while de
 void of the pornp and panoply of ancient Roman conQuerors in their celebrations,
 was more heartfelt and, therefore. a greater demonstration of the emotions
 that live in the souls of men and women
 than was ever before given to any man
 in the history of Italy.
 The crowds that everywhere greeted
 the President were said to have been greater than in any other celebration
 within the memory of the people in the various cities through which he passed, Viva Wilson" and Viva Americana" were the shouts which arose on every
 hand. The members of the Presidential party were frequently in automobiles fol- lowed behind the Presidential car through
 the streets between the thousands of sol diers and men, women and children that lined the course everywhere the Presi- dent went; and we had the opportunity Of studying the crowds and there could be no mistaking the genuine pleasure of the Italian people to have the Presi- dent in Italy.
 I was partially prepared for the re- n.arkable demonstrations that greeted the President, because I chanced to be at the Murat palace. the Presidents res idence in Paris, when Ambassador and Mrs. Thomson Nelson Page called to dis cuss with the President the plans that had been made for his trip through Italy. They said that there might be larg- CT crowds in Paris and London to see the President but that they were sure no people ever were more sincire in their admiration for him than the Italians, overlooking the ruins of the Forum and
 the palace of the Caesars, was also one
 that was never excelled in lofty idealism by any of the great men who made the history of ancient Rome.
 After two days in Rome, the President went to Genoa, arriving there at S:30 a.
 m. The pouring rain did not dampen
 the ardor of the citizens of Genoa, who
 feel kind of proprietorship in the
 United States because a Genoese Co.,
 lumbus discovered America The Presi- dents speech on accepting the citizen ship of the city of Genoa, was very hap py and expressed an appreciation of that city and of Italy for having produced the man who discovered America.
 Leaving Genoa about 10 o'clock, the President arrived at Milan about noon, and there he received popular demon-
 
 celled. In the square between the royal palace and the great cathedral of Milan, there were gathered more than 100, 600 people. The President made a brief ad- dress from the balcony of the royal
 palace, and a few minutes later came out apparently for the purpose of look
 ing at the Duoma--the cathedrai-but when he appeared, he was greeted with a roar of applause. Just then the wonder flIl Milan hand struck the Italia n Royal March, and President Wilson, with a smile, played with the crowd by directing the band; and Sousa himself never directed a march with greater grace. The 100000 people who were there to see the President simply went wild when they saw this evidence of the good humor of the man whom they regard as the greatest friend of mankind in the world today. They waved their hats and yelled until the band stopped and the President left the balcony.
 We left Milan at 10 o'clock at night