Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-11
EMBRACED BY MUssoLINI.
Premier Receives Flyers at Home villa
at Torenia.


ROME, July IL Cp.-Premier Mus
solini received the American trans
atlantic flyers, Roger @. Williams and
Capt Lewis A. Yancey, last night as
they drove to Rome from Littorio air.
drome.
They called at the premier's home
villa at Torenia. The duce, acting as
the minister of aeronautics, embraced
each Of them, kissing both on both
cheeks. He congratulated them and
said he was sorry he had not been able
to see them land.
They were accompanied by Gen. Ttalo
Balbo, undersecretary for aeronautics.
A reception at the capitol by the
Governor of Rome and tea at the home
Of Alexander Kirk, first secretary OF the
American embassy, were the principal
points on their program today: Inc
embassy put automobiles at the disposal
of the flyers this morning so that tney
might use them for sightseeing and
shopping.
Fletcher CongratuIates Flyers.
Ambassador Fletcher telegraphed
Roger q. Williams and Capt. Lewis A.
Yancey today from his retreat at
Montencatini congratulating them on
their transatlantic flight.
"Heartiest congratulations on your
DUCK anu peISeVeA a1ASC "AAN =. - .,
the message said. 1T am proud OF you
and very sorry I shall be unable to be
with you in person"
att Is a great thing you have done,
and in finding the air road to Rome you
have brought two of the greatest ma
tions in the world closer together
thousands some day will be following
this new path" Alexander G. KIRK, frst
secretary of the embassy, is acting as
via AnNh2CCa00I
Fletcher's absence from the city.
italian hospitality opened wide Its
arms to the two American aviators,
who landed at Littorio Airdrome at $3.50
nm. $3.50 pm. Eastern standard tlme)
yesterday from Santander, Spain, COM
Dieting a transatlantic flight from Old
Orchard, Me.
Not even a tentative schedule for
their activities the next few days has
heen arranged, but it was said at the
American embassy and IN ofncial gov
ernment quarters that a flood OF In
citations and requests had appeared and
needed sitting, since 1t would De
humanity impossible for the aViators TO
comply with all
italians regarded almost as notable
as their flight the intense interest Pre-
fnier Mussolini displayed In their feat
The Duce was kept waiting for two hours
N@@~
American plane to put in its appearance
but finally he had to leave, 10 minutes
before It new over the field.
Kissed by MussolinH.
AS williams and Yancey were taken
to Rome they were conducted by Gen
Italo Balbo, undersecretary for aviation
to the premier's villa at Torenia. Mus
solini, acting as minister for aeronautics
greeted them there, kissing both on both
cheeks, and congratulating them or
their flight. He said he was sorry they
had to land at Santander, but abtured
them not to let that spoil their pleas
ure of the accomplishment.
Head winds over Southern France
and the Mediterranean, which some
times slowed their progress to Is TO s.
miles an hour, greatly heightened their
flight from Santander, and, since they
were sighted only once en- route to
italy, even gave rise to fears for their
safety.
Leaving Santander at 1920 am
(5:20 am. Eastern standard time)
they took 10 hours and 10 minutes e
traverse the $50 miles to Littorto Field
Thag were sighted soon after leaving