Evening star., 1933-07-21
LEAVES CITY EARLY.
Balbo and Companion Flyers Take
Train for Gotham.

Though wearied by day o. Official
and popular enthusiasm such as WASH.
ington has seldom showed to those OF
foreign race, Gen. 1talo Balbo ana
the group of young italian flyers who
have been making aviation history IN
their flight to America, stole marcn
on the Capital and Unexpectedly lett
bv train at 2:45 o'clock this morning
for New York to expedite the arrange
ments for their return flight to Italy.
The Youthful and energetic command
er. who has gained strong hold on
the affections of the American people
bv his exploit and by his colorful char
acter and modest behavior in the face
of wild public acclaim, decided on his
unexpected departure from the Capital
late yesterday as long round OF func-
tions in his honor was drawing TO
close.
He indicated that he wished by this
means to gain the better part OF a day
in preparing his "a twin-hulled sea-
planes for the return flight, which IS
expected to begin, at the latest, early
next week. He and his men were to
have returned to New York. as they
came to Washington, in feet of Army.
Navy and Marine Corps transport
planes, placed at their disposal by the
United States Government while their
own were undergoing inspection and
overhauling at New York. Plans called
for their departure from Boiling Field
at $3.50 am. today.
Attend Officials Dinner.
Returning to the Mayflower Hotel
from a brilliant reception at the Italian
embassy late yesterday afternoon, Balbo
left word that he and his men were
to be called in time to leave the hotel
at 2:15 o'clock this morning. He and
his officers then left for the final social
event of their visit to the Capital,
dinner given them by Secretary OF the
Navy Swanson and Acting Secretary
of War Woodring at the Army and Navy
Country Club, near Arlington, Va.
To this dinner were invited leaders OF
official and social Washington, ranking
military commanders and many Amer
ican Army and Navy pilots, a number
of whom had been with Balbo and his
men all day long. Washington news
paper men, however, were pointedly ig-
consequently, much of what went on
there must remain a closed chapter to
the public.
The highlight of the days round OF
official functions for the gallant, beard
ed Italian air chief and his senior flight
officers was an exceedingly colorful
luncheon and reception by President
Roosevelt in the historic main dining
room of the White House. 1t came as
a delightful surprise to Balbo and to
many of the American officials present
when President Roosevelt, revealing
himself as an accomplished linguist,
greeted and congratulated the Italian in
his own tongue, as he recently did
French official visitors.
Ceremony Is COlorful.
The most formal and colorful honors
were bestowed on Balbo and his men at
the Executive Mansion AS they en-
tered the main doorway to the cheers Of
several thousand spectators and escort
ed by the chiefs of the United States
flying services, brightly uniformed
service band in the reception room
played four fourishes and four ruffles in
tribute to the distinguished foreigner
and then played the italian national
anthem while Balbo and his senior Off
GERS stood in column of twos, stif11y at
salute. They then marched into the
reception room to stirring march and
were presented to the President and the
Nations military leaders.
In the meantime the Junior Italian