The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-01-04
VIVAAMERICA!
CRYTHER0MANS
Tremendous Ovation Accorded
in Eternal City to President
OF the United States.
ITALIANS ARE GRATEFUL
For Material and Spiritual Aid
Of Sister Nation in Win
ming the Great War. (

RoHie, Jdis o.~\<As Z I.J-tNOiiic W. !,
astir early this morning. Seeming 5
the entire population streamedls
ward the station where PreE
Wilson was to be welcomed bys /
Victor Emmanuel. The day a
national holiday, everyone was rree
to take part in greeting the American
president.
From the furthrest corner Of the
city the crowds poured into the main
thoroughfares and thronged the
streets. Hours before the arrival of
the presidential train crowds packed
the Via Rationale, which was lined
with double rows of soldiers.
AT 10 o'clock the expectation Of the
throngs was intense. Flags were
everywhere fluttering in the breeze.
every window and balcony was filled
with eager watchers and the roofs
were black with people. Even in trees
and high on lamp posts there were
men and women clinging to vantage
points from which they might see
the procession. The royal carriage
on its way to the station was loudly
cheered.
!. At 1880 o'clock there came the
first distant shouts of "viva
America" which was taken up by
the crowd along the thronged
streets. Like a wave. the crowds rose
on tip-toe to catch a first glimpse
of the president. An engine whistle
was heard in the distance and loud
shouts broke forth rising into a
deafening roar AS the presidential
train rolled into the station.
Wilson First OFF Train.
Inside the station were the king
and queen and all members Of the
cabinet, headed by Premier Orlando
and Foreign Minister Sonnino.
The Annunzia, ranking as cousins OF
the king.
Members of the diplomatic corps,
presidents of the senate and chain
ber Of deputies, members of parlia-
ment and military and naval author
tiles were present. Among those at
the station was Senator Greppi, who
recently celebrated his Tooth birth
day.
The people were disappointed by
the weather, which was not as fine
as it was Thursday. The morning
was over-clouded. with occasionel
sprinklings of rain.
When his train stopped at the sta
tion President Wilson was the first
to alight:
He shook hands with King Victor
Emmanuel, who introduced him to
Queen Helena. In the meantime Mrs.
Wilson and Miss Margaret Wilson
Joined them. The king welcomed Mr..
Wilson cordially to the Italian capi-
tai and introduced members of the
party to the official welcoming dele
CATION. The king said to Mr.. Wilson:
'I hope you will feel at home
here"
Played "Star SpansIed Banner"
ITO be in Rome is one OF my
greatest pleasures" answered Mr.
Wilson. The king and Mr.. Wilson
then reviewed a company of soldiers
drawn up at the station, while the
band played "The Star Spangled
Banner" After a short conversation
in the royal waiting room the king
and Mr.. Wilson appeared in front OF
the station. This was a. signal for a
great outburst of enthusiasm, can
mons being fired, soldiers presenting
arms and the historic bell on the
capitol ringing, which is done only
on greatest national occasions.
At the Plaza Esedrs, Prince Pros
pero Colonna, the mayor or Rome,
surrounded by aldermen and liveried
servants, awaited the arrival or the
procession. Prince Colonna delivered
an address in which he welcomed the
president in the name of the Eternal
CITY and expressed the gratitude OF
Rome and Italy for all America dld
materially and spiritually to win the
war. This imposing scene was IN
the huge suaure bounded on one SIDE
by the venerable ruins of the Do
cletian baths and on the other by
semi circular buildings gaily deco
rated with palms. flowers ana
streamers bearing the names OF re-
deemed Italian cities. The moment
Prince Colonna's address was over
the cheering broke forth once more
with redoubled vigor.
The procession turned down the
Via Nazionale, a long straight
tborouehfare leading almost directly
TO the Ouirinal. The smile of the
nresident caused an ovation which
became more tremendous as he drove
along From windows flowers were
showered upon Mrs. Wilson ana MISS
Wilson. They acknowledged the
people's salutations, their bows pro
ducing even greater outbursts OF
enthusiasm. -,
All the way down the coast on ms
way to Rome Mr.. Wilson was given
a cordial greeting. He displayed
greatest interest in historic land
marks along the railway, which rev
months ago was carrying troop
trains, transporting soldiers nortn
to stem the rush Of the invader
British soldiers in village camp
cheered President Wilson's train IS
it passed by. For two hours TINS
morning the train skirted the Medi-