The Washington times., 1933-03-18
BRITISH CHIEFS
ARRIVE FOR
ARMS TALK
Premier Accompanied by His
Daughter and Sir John
Simon; BaIbo Pilot

ROME, March 18 QN.S9-
Greeted by a welcoming commit
tee headed by Premier Mussolini,
Prime Minister j. Ramsay Mac
Donald Of Great Britain arrived
today for a conference on disarm-
ament and other problems affect
ing the peace Of Europe.
The British prime minister, &C
Oompanied by his daughter, 1sh-
bel. and Sir John Simon, his for
eign secretary, reached the sea-
port Of Ostia at 1885 p. m. and
then drove the 1412 miles to Rome
In an official government car.
Plans Change Quickly
Mussolini made a dramatic
change in plans to head the recep-
tion committee. 81,
It had been announced pre-
viouSly that he would be unable
to 60 to OStia because Of the pres
sure Of domestic affairs.
But he left q cabinet meeting
abruptly when the time for the
arrival neared and drove to Ostia
In a motor car, reaching the sea-
port Just a few minutes before
the British visitors arrived from
Genoa in a seaplane piloted by
Gen. Italo Balbo, Italian air min
lister.
That he might lose no time,
Mussolini dressed for the recep-
ton before attending the cabinet
meeting. He appeared in a
morning coat and silk hat and
informed the cabinet it would
have to transact its business
speedily to enable him to get
away and welcome the British
statesmen.
Military Escort
Brilliant sunshine enhanced
the scene when the seaplane
swooped down and skinned
along the smooth surface Of Os-
tia Harbor.
Escorted by nine military
planes, Balbo piloted the craft
to a beautiful landing. then
TAXED the plane to the pier,
where the reception committee
was awaited.
Premier Mussolinl was flanked
by the British ambassador and
his wife. A large company Of
army and air officers, in full
dress uniforms and decorations,
stood at attention behind them.
AS the visitors disembarked,
Mussolini stepped forward. With
his face wreathed in smiles, he
handed q bouquet to Miss Mac
Donald. The governor Of Rome
did likewise.
Tribute to BalbO
Mussolini then shook Premier
MacDonald's hand and asked him
in English whether he had en-
toyed the flight from Genoa.
at was delightful"
Macdonald gave a nod Of
tribute to General Balbo's ex-
pert navigation as he made the
reply.
Joined by other planes from
the OStia base, the aerial escort
staged a picturesque display over
the harbor as the party entered
waiting cars for the drive to
Rome.
Trumpets blew as Premier
Macdonald and the British Am
haSSadOr entered the first car,
Sir John Simon and Miss Mac.
Donald travelled in the second,
while Mussolini and General
Balbo brought up the rear.
Crowds. gathered along the
Ostia-to-Rome roadside in each
village, cheered the visitors and
Il Duce as the cars swept past.
Macdonald and Mussolini will
begin their series Of conferences
tonight.
News Of the death of the Duke
Of Abruzzi. Italian soldier and
explorer, in italian Somaliland,
caused the italian court to go into
formal mourning today. This
cancelled the luncheon at the
Royal Palace tomorrow, which
had been planned in honor of
the visitors.
Court representatives, likewise,
will be unable to attend the din
ner for Macdonald and Sir John
at the British embassy tomorrow
night.
LONDON, March 1S G.N.SO.
Pope Plus will grant an audience
to Prime Minister Macdonald and
Foreign Minister Sir John Simon
tomorrow morning. an Exchange
Telegraph dispatch from Rome
said today.