CZAR'S VISIT TO ITALY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2902, 27 October 1909, Page 25

CZAR'S VISIT TO ITALY.

VIENNA, October^l9. The Czar's projected visit to Italy is , attracting attention in Austria. It is notedf that he intends to .avoid touching Austro - Hungarian territory owing to soreness due to Baron Aehrenthal's policy. A semi-official article in Montage's Revu discuses the question of whether Italo-Russian friendship will prove the rock whereon Austria's .Eastern policy will be shipwrecked. "ROME, October 18. The newspaper Messaggero declares that those who are urging that, the Czar be given a hostile reception are simply assisting Austria by compromising the chances of a Russo-Italian rapprochement. October 20. The council of the General Labour Confederation of Italy has decided to strenuously oppose a general strike in connection with 'the Czar's visit. Only the extreme Socialists favour a strike. October 21. The Chamber of Labour, a Socialist organisation, has abandoned the idea of proclaiming a general strike in -connecI tion with the visit. October 24. The Czar reached Racconigi in glorious weather. The Russian and Italian flag.? were flying on every house. In connection wdtih the Czar's arrival at Racconigi all artists who have been engaged to perform this evening are forbidden to bring their dressing cases or musical portfolios.

The public buildings in Rome and many j private houses were decorated at the re- I quest of the Roman municipality ' i ' The Socialist mayor of the town at- . tended Racconigi Palace to greet the Czar. LONDON, October 21. '. The Czar will travel via Alexandrovo, Posin, Frankfurt, Lyons, and Modena. He will not get an official reception in Germany or France. He will reach Berdonnekhia on Saturday, and from there many troops will guard the line to Racconigi, where King Victor Emmanuel, Signor Giolitti, and Signor Tittoni will meet him. The Czar will return via the Crimea on Monday. October 24. Morgani, a well-known Socialist deputy, I was denied access to the railway station, and the correspondents- of the Socialist newspaper Avanti were ejected. Only the holders of police permits were allowed to watoh the procession, and these only from behind a tripls line of infantry and cavalry. October. 25.' The Daily Chronicle reports that the authorities on Saturday morning closed the Racconigi shops, and compelled the towns--folk to quit their dwellings. They then escorted them to a field, outside the town, where they were surrounded by troops. The families of the stationm asters along the Modane line weTe evicted from their , homes, and were sent to hotels at the . State's expense. ' On Sunday King Victor and the Czar motored to the Royal Castle at Pollengo, and afterwards shot in the Racconigi preserves. At a banquet in the evening King Victor welcomed the Czar's visit ns a confirmation of the sincere friendship and concord of arms uniting the two houses, Governments, and peoples. The Czar replied that he was confident that the two Governments would contribute by constant and trustful co-opera-tion not only to the- rapprochement of Italy and Russia, but also to the peace of the world.

WARSAW, October 21. Extraordinary precautions have been | taken to protect the Czar, especially ins Warsaw, where there is a chain of troops between the railway stations. Many suspects were arrested, and all houses en l'oute searched, the proprietors baing required to give a guarantee to maintain order. Eleven thousand soldiers maintain order between 'Bardonnecctoa, Turin, and Racconigi. BtfSLTN, October 22, The Czar has proceeded to Frankfurt. Three trains, exactly similar, with intervals of a few miles between each, make ' the journey, and no one knows by whicti the- Czar- is travelling. Be is sometimes .in the first, and sometimes in one of the 'others. There are strong detachments of police aaid> troops at every crossing, and the public is not allowed to approach the line or t!he vicinity .of th«. Imperial party elsewhere.