Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1919-01-04
ROME'S KISTOl|C BELL
WELCOMED FRtSIlENT
PopuIace Watched and Waited
Eagerly for Hours; King and
Statesman at Train
Nv Associated Press to Fverv Even,ay

ny Associated Press To Everv Eveutnz
Rome, Jan Z. Rome was aatir early
today Seemingly. the entire population
streamed toward the station. where Pres
ident Wilson wax 10 be welcomed Nv
King Victor Emmanuel. tIours before
the arrival of the Presidential train.
crowds packed The Nla Rationale, which
was lined with double roes Of soldiers
At 10 O'Clock the expectation nf the
throngs WINS intense IlaGs were every
where fluttering in the breeze. every win
dow and balcony was filed with eager
watchers and the roofs were black with
people Even IN trees and high on lamp
posts were men and women eGnglng 10
vantage points Al 1890 there camc the
first distant shouts Of Viva America.
which was taken M by the crowd An
engine whistle wac heard IN tho distance
and loud shouts broke forth, rising into n
dcaiening roar as the Presidential train
rolled into the station,
IrALf's STATESMEN MrFT PRESIDENT.
Inside the station were tho King and
Queen, and all the members Of the cabinet,
headed by Premier Orlando and Foreign
Minister Sonnino: members of the diplo-
Chamber Of Deputies, members of Parlia-
ment. and military and naval authorities
President Wilson was the first 70 alight
from the train Tie shook hands with
King Victor Emmanuel, who introduced
him 10 Queen Helena In the meantime,
Mrs. WI son and Miss Margaret Wilson
joined them. The king welcomed MIR
Wilson cordially TO the Italian .apltal
and introduced members of the party 10
the off'cla welcoming delegation The
king sald TO Mr~Wilson.
Il hope YOU will feel at home here :
''To be in Rome Is one OF my greatest
pleasures, answered MIR. Wilson.
HISTORIC BELL ToIIEp.
The king and Mr.. Wilson then reviewed
q company Of soldiers drawn up at the
station while the band played "'f'he Star
SpangIed Panncr' After 4 short con-
verSation in the royal waiting room. the
king and MIR. Wilson appeared in front of
the station. 4 great outburst Of enthusi-
asm followed. cannons BEING fired, soldiers
presenting arms and the historic bell on the
capitol ringing, which Is done only on
greatest national occasions.
At the Plaza Esedra, Prince Prospero
Colonna, the mayor OF Rome, surrounded
by aldermen and liyerled servants, await
ed the arrival of 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 did
materially and spiritually to win the war
The moment Prince Colonna's 5 address
was over the cheering broke forth once
more with redoubled vigor
CROWD CHEERS WILSON SMILE
The procession turned down the Via
Nationale. i long straight thoroughfare
leading almost directly to the Quirinal
The smile OF the President caused an
ovation which became more tremendous
as he drove along
The hing aud the s!dent drove
IN the same carriage with the Queen
and Mrs. Wilson in the next
When the presidential party arrived
at the Quinnal, the military bugles blared
forth and the guard of honor presented
arms, while the square, already full
became packed 10 It's capacity with the
people pouring in from all sides and call
ing loudly for President Wilson 10 appear
on the balcony
The President and Mrs Wilson. to-
gether with their royal hosts, responded
to the call Al their appearance on the
balcony the crowd went Wild, cheering
madly for President Wilson and fer
America The presidential purity was
obliged to appear reveral times on the
balcony to satisfy The clamors If the
people
From windows flowers were showered
upon Mrs. Wilson and Miss Wilson All
the way down the coast on his way to
Rome Mr.. " ilson was given a most cor
dial greeting He displayed greatest in
tercst III historic landmarks along the
railway, winch Il few months ago was
pulling troop trains transferring troops to
the north to stem, the rush OF the invader.
Irish soldiers in large camp cheered the
Presidents tram rs it passed For two
hours, this morning. the tram skirted the
Mediterranean
/.