The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-08
ITALY ACCLAIMS
WILSON A PROPHET
Amazing Demonstration Made
by People in Greeting
President.
MADE no PROMISES
Welcome Moves Him Greatly
and He Blows Kisses to
Women.
MADE no PROMISES
Dy LAURENCE HILLS.
SfuU Correspondent Of THE Sun.
Copnriohf 1910. all rf1hfs reserrsd


Copyright 1919; all rights reserved.
PARIS. Jan THE world may have
to wait several weeks for the results OF
President Wilson's remarkable trip
through Italy to become apparent In the
deliberations OF the peace conference,
but whatever its outcome may be polit-
ically, this series of extraordinary dem
onstrations will stand forth for all time
as the most Impressive tribute ever paid
10 a nation and It's leading statesman.
on Its picturesque side the journey
carries the recollections of the Presi-
dents party to colorful scenes without
number. rose strewn streets, search
lights nlaying upon La Scala inside OF
which n brilliant audience was acclaim
ing to President Of the United states,
triumphant professions in Rome, Genoa,
Milan and Turin past the medieval pal
aces with dark eyed sgnorinas bending
/ over tapestry hung balconies illuminated
by faring candelabra, pouring HivaS
down upon the President riding below
! historical crowds about the ancient CAP
itollne Hill the Quirnal, the Milan
Cathedral and the Piazza San Mario In
Turin paying homage az IL were TO the
new Messiah.
Acclaimed As IA Prophet.
The climax OF Italy's crescendo of ac-
claim was reached In Turin, when the
crowd made frantic attempts TO break
| through the barriers of infantry and
cavalry holding the streets as IL In pas
| sionate eagerness to throw themselves at
the feet OF the transatlantic prophet.
These were but outward manifesto
i.,,a .Nf Nj ka1 tot NOT
| spiritual Significance Il was Italy with
| her hands stretched out to the United
States that was INDUCING In these dem
| orstrations. and also the Italy that
! thought she saw in the ideas advanced
| nv the man she was paying homage her
| liberation from the nanaclcs OF obsolete
| Old World politics
The amazing thing IL that President
Wilson contr'ved TO win these rlaudlts
while resolutely and even polntedly re-
fusing 10 identify himself with Italy's
notorious and openly avowed territorial
aspirations In regard 10 Dalmatia and
Albania. These aspirations found ex-
| preston, notably in northern italy
| where the walls OF Milan. for instance
we're placarded with red poster. con
| tanning direct appeals to the President
! in the English language to support
1taly's claim as he had supported those
OF France TO Alsace Lorraine.
That "Claim ON View York"
Yet not In any single speech of the
| many he made lid President Wilson
! give the Italians ~ much as reed 20
| lean upon. on the contrary, there We're
those who saw in the jocular reference
! IN the Presidents conversation with
! Foreign Minister Sonnino Ia Rome about
, the number Of Italians in New York 81
direct hint that Italy's claims TO terri
| tory merely inhabited by Italians could
not be recognized.
| Undoubtedly disappointment was
| caused by tho Presidents silence on
! some points and the lack Of dcnniteue=s
| in HIS speeches. what effect his journey
| will have on the statesmen he Is about
TO meet at the peace table cannot be
! foretold. Some Of them are known to
| be cold, calculating and of the type
which is not swayed by idealistic consid-
cations OF such phenomena rs mani
! Tested themselves in Italy whenever
! and wherever the President showed him
self.
! on the President him self the visit to
| ter: has had the effect Of lntersifying
his belief that he il on the track along
! which the people Of Europe are caecr
to follow. Outwardly he has showed IN
I many ways that he was falling victim
! to the Infection Of Italy's warm wei
come. In France and England he acted
| with the same dignity and poise he has
unoent and became almost Roosnvelt,au
! in his 'mpulsive enthusiasm.
/, Blew kisses to Women