HITLER LEAVES ROME

Evening Star, Issue 22953, 10 May 1938, Page 9

HITLER LEAVES ROME

FAREWELLED BY ITALY’S KING EN ROUTE TO FLORENCE IN BULLET-PROOF TRAIN Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright ROME, May 9. (Received May 10, at 8 a.m.) King Victor Emanuel farewelled Herr Hitler, who is en route to Florence in a bullet-proof train. The line is guarded by a cordon of troops. Vast crowds at many points gave an ovation to the Fuhrer. Signor Mussolini travelled separately. The dictators have an extensive sight-seeing programme in Florence. ARRIVAL AT FLORENCE ROME, May 9. (Received May 10, at 10 a.m.) Signor,Mussolini, having passed Herr Hitler en route, welcomed him at Florence. The dictators were given a reception at Pitti Palace. ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION STRINGENT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. LONDON, May 9. (Received May 10, at 1.5 p.m.) The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Florence correspondent says that the former capital of united Italy accorded Herr Hitler the most enthusiastic reception since his arrival in Italy. Thousands of Black Shirts cheered wildly in the streets through which Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini travelled to the palace. The crowds clamoured until the dictators appeared on the balcony, to which they were recalled 10 times. The precautions taken to ensure Herr Hitler’s safety, however, were more stringent than in Rome and Naples, owing to the distribution of a large number of leaflets announcing that Florence would be the Fuhrer’s tomb. Helped by the Gestapo, the Italian police, who had long ago arrested all suspects, arrested a large number of other people and sent back discharged mental patients to the asylums. Nobody without a permit was allowed to enter the city. All cellars were carefully inspected and locked up. Herr Hitler, on the eve of entraining for Munich, issued the following statement:—“ It has been too beautiful. I am moved by the remarkable friendliness and sympathy of the population, and rejoice at the intimate understanding between Fascism and Naziism. Ours is certainly-the same world if the friendship shown is not artificially constructed."

The Berlin correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says Germany is confident that Herr Hitler’s visit has strengthened the Rome-Berlin axis. VATICAN MUSEUM REOPENED GERMAN TOURISTS REFUSED ADMISSION, VATICAN CITY, May 9, (Received May 10, at 1 p.m.) Herr -Hitler having departed, the Vatican Museum was reopened, but admission was refused a group of German tourists wearing swastikas.