New-York tribune., 1921-12-11
Diaz Departs
With Surfeit
Of L4unclleons
Thousands at Periodically
Decorated Pier Cheer as
Italian Commander Pays
Final Compliments to us.
Visit Called sWonderful''
ssThink 1 Have Eaten All the
Chicken in America He
Says, Praising Hospitality

y -
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General Armando Diax, gencralis-
sinao of the italian army, who had
been In this country almost . month,
sailed for Naples yesterday on the
Italian liner Giuseppe Verdi. attended
by all the pomp and panoply the ship
and pier could afford. Patriotic bunt-
ing hung like cobwebs over his path;
a cheering crowd that drowned his
speech and gave forty patrolmen
hard tussle to keep it in line wished
him godspeed, and refreshments
flowed like water for all who would
partake.
The agile generalissimo left lunch
con at the Biltmore and walked into
another one when he boarded the Verdi,
One of his aides said that his visit
here had been remarkable, but that it
was just one luncheon after another.
Captain Vincenzo Romano, immacu-
late in his glittering uniform, met the
Italian general at the foot of the gang
plank and after aluting and shaking
hands accompanied him up the red
velvet carpet that had been laid on the
Generals Farewell Address
On the deck General Diaz said some
thing to his aide in italian. Those
who understood it, shouted that the
general wanted to see the men Of the
press at once. He was then escorted
to the saloon lounge, where he ad-
dressed the reporters.
"My visit here has been wonderful"
said the general. cit has given me the
impression of being in contact with
people which has the greatest sum of
energy and which in spirit and all
manifestations sees clearly the way of
the future and follows it with firm
ness and constancy. l have admired
it's strength of unity that appears
everywhere, it's institutions. it's ex
uberant youth and, above all, the af-
finity of its character with Italian
character. | could say that the Ameri-
can people by preparing the basis for
the future of humanity can be truly
called its own ancestor.
Before leaving America I wish to
say to the representatives. of the
American press how grateful feel for
all they did to make useful and noble
my mission to America. | found IN
the American press faithful ally.
"Christopher Columbus came west
ward over the Atlantic in 1892 and
discovered America" he added. 81
think the time has now come for
Americans to come eastward and dis
cover Italy"
After his impromptu address the
general was informed that luncheon
was awaiting him in the dining saloon,
but he merely smiled, expressed his
thanks and explained that he had just
come from a luncheon and that he pre-
ferred to spend the few remaining
moments of his visit saying goodbye
to his friends who had come to see
him sail.
Child Brings Floral Gift
women in gala dress, was a four-year-
old child who had come to see the gen.
eral sail. Moreover, she had brought
with her bouquet as big as her self
and both were atop of one of the big
saloon tables. General Diaz strobe
over to the child and asked her name
She said she was Josephine Fulco and
that her fathers name was John. The
family lived down at Laurel Hill, L. l.,
the child said, and she had brought
the floral Offering in behalf Of the St.
Raphael Society, local immigrant mis-
sion, of which her father is president.
The child then spoke in Italian, which
pleased the commander of the Italian
armies. He leaned over, kissed the
child on both cheeks and accepted the
heavy floral gift.
General Diaz stood on deck waving
his farewell greetings until the Verdi
had Strengthened out in the North
River and got on her way to Naples.
The general came to the liner from
the Hotel Biltmore, where he was ten
dered farewell luncheon by members
of the Italy-America Society. Three
hundred persons attended. Paul D.
Cravath was toastmaster.
Affection for America
In his address General Diaz said:
III am carrying away In my heart and
in my spirit a wonderful feeling Of
affection for this country, America:
hope that I leave with you similar
feeling, not for me alone, but for my
country. To no other country and tc
no other people would I more regret
fully say, 'Goodby.'
ain the fifty-two days I have been in
this country | have travelled about a.
800 miles on trains. / have pretended
to sleep on trains about twenty times.
I have visited thirty-one cities, made
about 1O5 speeches and / think have
eaten all the chicken in America"
General Diaz then thanked those who
had contributed their help toward max
ing his journey through the. country a
pleasant one, particularly the mayors
and governors of the cities and states
which he had visited.
"And also," he concluded, 'T wish to
thank the American Legion, which
made it possible for me to make this
trim to America trim which shall be