Evening star., 1933-07-16
CHICAGO ACCLA|MS
BALb0 AR MAZDA
Million Welcome "a Planes,
Completing Flight of
6,1OO Miles.
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along, and small boats waited expec-
family in the mile-sauare landing area
Of the lake to take the Italians OF their
planes.
The crowd seemed to watch the ap-
pearance OF the victorious armada In
awe. which soon gave way to a soaring
thunder Of welcome as the flying boats
dropped gracefully down on Lake Mich
igan aud the bearded Balbo stuck his
head out of the cabin of his plane He
stepped out and raised his arm in the
Fascist salute and countless arms waved
back, as the welcome shouts rose to a
roar. The other planes laneed in rapid
succession and small boats began to
ferry the Italian pilots to the U. S. S.
Wllmette. moored short distance away
at Navy pier.
On the Wilmette. the flyers were
given time to bathe and dress, when
they were taken in triumphal process
sion to the lagoon Of the worlds fair,
there to debark and march to Soldier
Field where 100 900 persons waited for
the formal welcoming ceremonies.
Italian Ambassador Augusta Rosso
was Gen. Balbos passenger on the
flight from Montreal and he joined
Prince Rospigiioso of Rome. delegated
by Premier Benito MuSsolini to attend
the welcoming ceremonies on the Will
mette
Welcomed by Dignitaries.
Today's fight had brought the air
armada from Montreal up the ST Law
renee River. to follow general Y the north
shore of Like Ontario, but missing
Toronto. The flyers crossed into the
United States at Port Huron. Mich.
and followed the St. Clair River over
Detroit thence to Toledo, Fort Wayne
and over South Bend to the southern
curve OF Lake Michigan into Chicago
To welcome Gen. Balbo and his men
on the Wilmette were Prince PotenZi-
ami. Italian representative of the
worlds fair: Consul General Guiseppi
CaStruccio. In full diplomatic garb:
Mayor Kelly Of Chicago: Harry S. New.
United States commissioner TO the Gen.
tury Of Progress: Gov. Henry Horner
OF Illinois and other dignitaries.
Over Navy pier foated the Italian
national ensign. As the "a silver
sided ships bObbed at anchor just of
Chicago's lake shore drive, the 80
United States Army planes flying above
ing the massed thousands along the
shore and blimps fioated laZily through
the sky trailing greetings spelled in
their native tongue to "Balbo and the
sons Of great Italy"
One Of the giant twin -cabined ships
appeared to have bit Of motor trouble
as 1t churned into white spray the blue
rectangle that had been cleared Of all
craft for the coming Of the Italians.
The ship. commanded by Capt Borghetti
was coming to rest wnen its engine
suddenly spurted into life again and
the plane fluttered briefly like fright
ened gull. More than a half hour
elapsed before the entire armada had
moored inside the breakwater where the
planes are to be guarded carefully
throughout their stay Of probably four
days, after which the return flight by
iantic and the Azores will begin.
1t was learned later that Capt. Bor-
ghetti's motor trouble was due to a
clogeed fuel line and that he refused
to leave his cabin until all was in work
ing order again. He was then taken
from the plane to a small boat and
finally aboard the Wilmette. Coast
Guard ship rebuilt from the old lake
steamer Eastland, which sank in the
Chicago River years ago. The delay
brought a pause before the 81 visiting
Italians and their country's Ambassador
actually stepped on American territory
here.
So great was the crush aboard the
Wilmette that Gen. Balbo pleaded with
the consul to protect his men, and
United States Marines. Army and Navy
squads formed a guard line.
Hurried to World Fair.
Finally the Italian commander was
put of with Gov. Horner, Rufus G.
Dawes. president OF the exposition, and
Consul Castruccio on a small boat to
relieve the excitement on the Coast
Guard ship. Apart from the other
members of the italian crews they were
hurried down to the World Fair.
The great feet ON its epochal West
ern flight dropped down six times to
rest at Intermediary bases. almost cut
ting the Arctic Circle at Iceland.
Amsterdam was the stopping place
the first night after a race across the
Alps. then Londonderry, Northern Ire
land: Reykjavik. Iceland: Cartwright.
Labrador; Shediac, New Brunswick, and
Montreal Quebec.
Parading through the fair grounds to
the Italian pavilion. Italy's flyers were
greeted by thousands massed on the
exposition ground.
At Soldier Field before throngs the
flyers were welcomed by dignitaries.
Ceremonies Cut Short.
Oficials In charge of the reception
agreed to cut the welcoming ceremonies
short as the flyers appeared tired.
Gen. Balbo's speech, delivered IN
Italian, in part was:
1T Is impossible to find sufficient
words for me and my companions to
thank the people of Chicago.
Il have brought message Of thanks
to Chicago from Premier Mussolini.
II have made many acquaintances
here and know will make good friends
AS are our two nations.
Chicago Is great city
"Hurrah for Chicago! Hurrah for
the United States!"
His talk was translated after he
completed It,
Gen. Balbo smiled broadly when
Mayor Kelly told of q Chicago street
being named for him and Of tomorrow
being designated "Balbo day" at the
Worlds Fair.