New-York tribune., 1921-12-02
Viyiani Heaps
raise on Italy
IN Dante Speech
Former French Premier
Makes Impassioned Plea,
Which Hearers Expect
Will Smooth Difficulties
Clasps Hands With Ricci
Dedication of Statue to Ital-
ian Poet Occasion for Ad-
dress. Loudly Applauded
From rAe Trss1~s's wasasxsso~ sxrso.

From The Tydo1Ne's W0shyHetoH Bwredv
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.--Rene Viviani
to-day chose an Italian holiday to pour
oil on the troubled diplomatic waters
of italy and France. Speaking at the
dedication of the Dante statue at one
of Washingtons new parks, the for
naer French Premier lauded Italy for
its part in the war and extollcd the
heroism of 1taly's soldiers. At the
conclusion of his extemporan.ous
speech in the presence Of President
Harding and other dignitsries, Viviani
turned and, reaching with both hands
toward the Italian Ambassador, Signor
Ricci. assured him that harmony
reigned between the French and the
Italian people.
Thousands of Italians from this city,
Baltimore and Philadelphia assembled
for the exercises chcered viviani's ad-
dress and frequently interrupted him
with cries Of "viva Italia!" and "viva
Franchia!" President Harding himself
was moved to an affirmatory nod as
he listened to Viviani's impassioned
plea Tor harmony.
Diplomatic circles tonight are
discussing the former French Pre-
mier's adroit move in going into
an italian gathering such as the
Dante celebration and seeking to
make amenGN for the stories en-
anating recently from the arms
conference concerning split be-
tween the French and Italian dele
cations and reports that the French
cast siurs on Italy's part in the war.
The address of the French diplomat
followed that of Ambassador Ricci. The
latter spoke in Italian and devoted his
remarks entirely to the glory of Dante.
The President and Mrs. Harding,
their military and naval aids, with
Under Secretary of State Fletcher, were
present, but took no part in the exer-
cises.
viviani paid tribute to the genius of
Dante. but lost little time in reaching
the subject closest to his heart.
"Our words, flying through space.
viii be tomorrow in Italy," he said.
AS they leave my heart they will find
their way to theirs. We belong to the
same family, and, so far as ] am con-
cerncd. shall never forget the sacred
memories and the heroic emotions
which war waged together imprinted
IN my soul as In sanctuary which
wish to see."
Ee then outlined the scene which
took place on the morning OF August
z, 1914, when Prince Ruspoli, the Ital-
ian Ambassador to France. came to
Niviani and notified him of Italian
neutrality, despite the Triple Alliance.
~ arose." said the ex-Premier. "He
arose. His eyes were filled with tears,
as we're mine. In that divine hour we
were able to contemplate the vision of
a member of the Latin races tearing
itself from the monstrous pact which
history, stopping at the sinister cross
ways and taking the high road to lib
erty and civilization"
Prolonged cheers arose from the as
sembled Italians as Viviani painted the
picture. Viviani's own eyes moistened
as he recalled the incident, and there
was catch in his voice as he con-
tinued:
Later, in the month of April, 1915,
from the tribune in the French
Chamber, l saluted the gracious and
yirile nation which had donned it's
Hrmor eager to meet the foe. saluted
vigorous heroes who to reach the field
of battle, marched through country
side twenty-fold illustrious, where each
stone bears the weight of history,
where the blood Of the sons of France
and the sons of Italy had flowed, plant
ing a seed which we believe durable
and which has been shown to be i'm
mortal.
1--WE are Of the same race. of the
same blood. Through a common cul-
ture and through the same processes Of
thought we descend from that ancient
Rome, which was the mother of right
before being the mother of grace and
the mother OF beauty. Let us not for
get our common origin if We wish to
achieve our manifest destiny"
Here Viviani turned to the platform
and extended both hands to Signor
/ Ricci, who rose as he accepted them.
The assembled thousands cheered
I wildly as the representatives of France
and Italy clasped hands.
It is felt here that Viviani's brief
speech did much to cement the breach
which has been apparent between the
French and Italian delegates since last
week occurrences What the Italians
/ resented most at the time was the re-
ported aspersions against the italian
army. and Viviani's graceful tribute to
/ 1ta1y's legions is bound to create a
favorable reaction in Italy.
The statue of Dante is the gift to
Washington Of the Italian societies of
the country. It was presented by
Carlo Barsotti, of New York City, and
/ accepted for the City of Washington
( by District Commissioner Rudolph
f Bishop Harding opened the exercises
4 with an, invocation, and Monsignoi
+ Bonzano, the Papal delegate, pro.
+ nounced the benediction.