The sun., 1919-01-07
PRESIDENT IS IDOL
OF ITALIAN MASSES
To Millions Of Them lie APP
pears to Symbolic Achieve
ment and Hopes.
CHEERED TO THE ECHO
His Stand for Rights of the
People Places Him on
High Pedestal.
ny WOODS MCCLURE.


Rome correspondent Of the London
Times.
Copyright, 1853: oil tights reserved
ROME. Jan. 6~-In one sense at least
the visit OF President Wilson to the
popo was the most interesting OF all
functions during his stay in Rome
Other receptions and visits. though In
a measure formal. were not marked by
any excess OF ceremony. Rome and Italy
generally have habits OF relaxing forms
and giving sense of friendlipess and
simplicity, at least when the feelings are
engaged, as In this case they emphati-
cally were.
In gong TO visit the Popo presiden,
Wilson passed from AN atmosphere OF
popular welcome and general easy
cordially TO the silent courtyards and
corridors OF the Vatican with its SOL
enn fornalities Of medieval cere-
monial The Corrie,e dItdHd thought
the President would have the impression
received by nunberl0ss visitors TO the
Vatican.
Prom these heights ono dominated
the world. II Is easy to SEQ that the
Pope remains above the events OF thu
world. One breathes another atmosphere
here
From Contact With Masses.
Whether tho President did receive
this impression in the sense understood
by the C0rTterc, perhaps, may be
doubted. Although an attempt has been
made to represent the President as
working on the problems OF the world
in lonely seclusion in his study 1t must
be remembered his reflections follow
upon very direct contact with the
world and its events, and he has shown
himself particularly anxious to come
into contact with those with whom he
will share the task of working out the
immense problems ahead. Though some
OF his utterances may have seemed
pontiiCal he has shown his attitude OF
mind is not so.
II Is recalled that in earlier days many
attempts were made 10 trace a connec-
ton OF the activities In Vatican circles
with President Wilson's programme of
fourteen points, which are practically a
concrete development OF the papal noe
OF August, 1917.
After his visit TO the Vatican the
President went to the American Church
of st Paul. In addressing the Italian
Professionals President Wilson repeated
his conviction that Italy had suffered
the most of the allied nations from tho
war
have heard much cheering In the
Italian Chember during the last four
years, but | haven't heard any Compar-
able enthusiastic outburst Of applause
like that which greeted the entry of the
President. 1t came in waves. first les
SEEMING and thea being renewed again
and gain.
Above all tho feeling of his listeners
seemed TO respond to the President $
declaration OF the necessity of finding
something new as a basis OF interna-
tional relations. This is. in fact. in spite
Of all doubtings and all cynical COM
ments. the feeling that seems 10 grow
and lind more expression with each
passing week. n feeling that out of the
suffering, sacrifice and loss there must
come something now unless humanity Is
to stand confessed as a failure.
Certainly as far ms Italy is concerned
II Is because Mr., Wilson holds out the
hoTS Of something new and that he lis
regarded as no other man living "a re-
garded to-day by the mass Of people.
To them he seems Literally one who
has the will and power to lay the foun-
dations for u Aattcs world. This i'm
ulense force that IL given 70 President
Wilson by the silent suffrage Of the sim
pie people must be taken into account.
There seems a chance. IL It is no more
that Il may work the miracle. The com
mon people, at least. have faith. To
millions OF Italians President Wilson
synlbol!zes both achievements and hopes