New-York tribune., 1919-01-05
Wilson's Reception
In Rome Greatest
OF European Visit

Rome, Jan. (By The Associated
Press s).-Presiden Wilson yesterday
had probably the hardest single days
programme since he came to Europe,
and he accomplished it while thousands
of Romans and citizens of other parts
of Italy looked on and cheered.
After the procession from the station
of the Quirinal, the President visited
the Queen Mother, had conferences
with Premier Orlando and Foreign
Minister Sonnino, gave an audience to
the Council of the Royal Academy of
SCIENCES, was received at the House of
Parliament, was the guest of honor at
state dinner given by the King and
ended the day with a reception at the
Capitol, where he received the citizen
ship of Rome.
Rome Streets Packed
There appeared to be more onlookers
than there were leaves on the palm
trees Of Rome. There were too many
people for the great squares and too
many for the trees, buildings, monu-
ments, and other points of vantage.
The atmosphere was that of an
average American town on holiday, to
which was added the Latin touch so
familiar to American tourists. This,
however, should be multiplied in the
imagination by about one thousand.
The result is fairly accurate picture
of Rome as it was to-day.
After one month of rain, sunlight
had come to brighten the parks and
the garden, and the city was fresh and
glistening when the President arrived
American Flag Everywhere
Many bands were in the streets and
the American flag was everywhere. Long
lines of Italian troops just returned
from the front guarded the streets
and marched and counter marched. At
several places along the Presidents
route there was a sprinkling of Ameri-
can, French and British officers to give
the picture an international look.
Early in the day some unofficial ar
rangements were made to have the
President address the popuace in the
Piazza Venezia. This was supposed to
be great secret, and it was a secret
for few minutes. 1t took just that
long for word of the arrangements to
spread all over Rome. In half an hour
the newspapers were on the streets
with the news, and in less than an hour
the square was packed with such
mass of humanity that the American
Secret Service men, after one look,
gasped and decided that the President
could not possibly get into the square
if he wanted to. 1t then turned out
that President Wilson knew nothing
whatever of the unofficial arrange
ments.
Crowd Numbers Thousands
In the meantime, while thousands
were waiting in the Piazza Venezia,
other thousands were packed about the
Quirinal, hoping to catch glimpse of
the President, who was receiving Wis
iting delegations.
The Presidents visit here is ac-
counted by those who nave been with
him in London and Paris the greatest
personal demonstration of his trip.
King Victor Emmanuel, attired IN a
generals war-wcrn uniform, got no
greater measure of acclamation from
his own people than did the Presi-
dent of the United States.
The ceremony last night incident
to the bestowal of the citizenship
Of Rome on President Wilson in
the historic capitol designed by
Michael Angelo and redolent with
suggestions of ancient and medieval
Rome, was an event Of unusual splen-
dor Assisting in the services were
King Victor Emmanuel and Queen
Helena. members of the Italian Oabi-
net, members of the diplomatic corps,
including Ambassador and Mrs.
Thomas Nelson Page and municipal and
military authorities.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. accompanied by
the King and Queen, drove to the
capitol after the dinner at the Quirinal
1t was the first time in the history
of the Parliament that foreign guest
had been greeted inside the Parliament
building by the Senate and Chamber
assembled in joint session. All the
members Of the Parliament joined in
the ovation as the President was
ushered in by the Presidents of the
Senate and the Chamber Of Deputies
Entire City Illuminated
While the ceremony was in progress
the entire city was illuminated, large
inscriptions, electrically lighted, read
ing "Viva America" "Viva Wilsonl"
The cheering on the Presidents en-
/ trance lasted five minutes on the part
Of the 800 members and the thousand