The sun., 1919-01-05
PAPAL COURT
HONORS GUEST
Wilson Received With Great
POmp and Is Greeted Most
Cordially.
PONTIFF ENCOURAGES HIM
Predicts America Will In.
crease Her Leadership as
Time Goes On.
PONTIFF ENCOURAGES HIM
BY ths Assecidfed Peesa

ROME, Jan. 4-Carrying with him
Pope Benedict's personal assurances Of
his appreciation Of the part America
is playing in the efforts to achieve a
lasting peace. President Wilson Is on
his way to Genoa tonight, whence he
will return to Paris by way Of Milan
and Turin.
The meeting between the Pope and
the President was most cordial. 1t had
been looked forward to with deep in
terest In all official circles, in view of
the Presidents rejection, several
months ago, Of the Papal peace over
lures. The warm greetings exchanged
by President Wilson and the Pope, the
latter robed entirely in white, were
commented upon with much satisfac-
tion as the President prepared to leave
the city after a visit OF two days.
The audience was extended in the
Throne Room OF the Vatican Papal
pomp and ceremony preceded the en-
trance of the President. The conversa-
tion was an enlargement OF identical
sentiments expressed by the Pontifr ear
lier TO a group of American correspond
ents. The Holy Father expressed the
greatest hopes for a lasting peace and
his appreciation OF the part America was
playing toward that end. He also voiced
his confidence in the continuing and in
creasing influence Of the United States
in world affairs.
Discusses Italy's Claims.
Although the demonstration accorded
the President in Rome was perhaps the
greatest popular tribute he has received
since arriving in Europe. II may be said
that the measure Of American support to
be given Italy's proposed claims before
the peace conference has not yet been
fully developed. The President con-
tnued to-day discussions of those claims,
but II does not seem likely that the
question can be settled without further
conferences,
Almost nothing has been permitted TO
become known of the political develop
ments since the Presidents arrival here
II became known to-day, however, that
the abandonment yesterday OF the plan
to have Mr. Wilson address the populace
OF Rome In a public square. where more
than $4,000 persons vainly waited Tor
him to appear. was based parity upon
the belief q the italian Government
that the address would be inahvisabie.
This view was taken because OF the lack
Of sufficient notice and the Governments
consequent inability to make suitable
ARRANGEMENTS for handling the crowd.
The President, It has been explained
authoritatively. was willing 10 go
through with the arrangements.
This undoubtedly has Deen the PreSl-
dents busiest day SINCE he stepped
ashore from the transport George Wash
in-ton Into the daylight hours he
crowded a multiplicity OF activities OF
which the most important. which was the
audience with Pope Benedict. was re-
served for virtually the last
Before going to the Vatican the Presl-
don't obtained his first real view or the
Eternal city In the first burst OF sun
shine TO follow nearly month or ram
and sombre skies The President and
his party went early to the Pantheon
where with quickly effected ceremony
wreaths were placed upon the tombs OF
King Victor Emmanuel II, and King
Humbert From there the party mo-
tored UP the big hill which overlooks
J Rome and whcre stands the great mon'
ument 10 Garibaldi.