THE KING AND QUEEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3609, 15 May 1923, Page 16

THE KING AND QUEEN.

VISIT TO ROME. LONDON, May 6. Glorious weather favoured the departure of the King and Queen on their week’s State visit to Rome. Their Majesties drove to Victoria station during the afternoon in an open carriage along a crowded route, the King in the uniform of n Admiral of the Fleet and the Queen dressed in navy blue with a toque to match. They had the heartiest send-off from Victoria station, where a party of Fascisti, drawn up on the platform, saluted as the train left. At Dover they went on board the Biarritz, and had a delightful crossing with a destroyer escort. They dined in the train in which they travelled from Calais as far as the frontier, where they will transfer to the Italian Royal train, in which they expect to reach Rome on Monday afternoon. Rome is already en fete. The streets are be f lagged and the buildings decorated. The heat wave which has been crossing Europe brought cut the trees in blossom as if to add to Nature’s welcome. The newspapers are full of complimentary articles and photographs, and the hotels are filled with guests. The route from the station will be lined with the pick of the lascisti militia. The press foreshadows as a result of the visit a cession of Jubaland, which was claimed by Italy under the London Pact of 1915, under which Italy entered the war on the side of the Allies. A crowded programme awaits their Majesties, who are anxious to study the archicological wonders of the Eternal City. SIGNOR MUSSOLINI HONOURED. ROME, May I. Crowds flocked to the city. The heat was intense. The Royal train, from Civita Veechia to Rome, was escorted bydirigibles and aeroplanes. Flowers were showered from the buildings along the route Their Britannic Majesties were received by the King and the Queen of Italy, the Crown Prince, and the Duke of Aosta. The King conferred the Grand Cross of tile Bath on Signor Mussolini. BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP CEMENTED. ROME, May 8. The King and Queen inspected the Janiculan and Pincian Hills. Everywhere the Royalties were loudly cheered. The city was brilliantly illuminated at night, and a gala dinner was given at the Quirinal. Four Sovereigns, princes, and princesses, and leaders of Italian society were present. King George, in replying to the toast of “The British Guests,” which King Victor proposed, emphasised the feeling of friendship with which Italians were re-

garded in all parts ol the K mpire. ’The sentiment which had inspired the Britisu and Italian soldiers to fight side by side in the Crimea had found consummation .n the crowning triumphs of Vittoria and Veneto. “The Queen and 1 recall with pride, said King George, that our eldest son served in the inspiring companionship of the Italian army. 1 feel assured that no cloud can etiaee these memories or dim the lustre of the ideals which the two nations share and upon which depends the forward march of civilisation.” AUDIENCE WITH THE POPE. ROME, May 9. King George and Queen Mary had V private conversation with the rope at the Vatican lasting 25 minutes. The King wore full-dress military uniform and the Queen the regulation black dress and veil, which is obligatory for ladies visiting the Pope. Great crowds thronged the routes to see their Majesties iri the Papal ears. The whole splendour of the Papal Court was called upon for the ceremonial reception in St. Peter's square. Two regiments of cavalry rendered military honours at the entrance of the palace, and the Swiss Guard presented arms. In the St. Damascus Court there was a company of Palatine Guards with music and the Papal flag, together with a platoon of gendarmes, who rendered military honours while the band played the British National Anthem. At the foot of the stairway leading to the Papal apartments, their Majesties were welcomed by Prince Kuspole, while at the head of the stairway a iarge crowd of prelates, who are members of the Pontilical Court, surrounded them, forming a brilliant and picturesque gathering. Preceded by' six palfreys and flanked by a detachment of Swiss Guards, they proceeded to the Clemintine Hall, on the threshhold of which another group of prelates and officers of the Vatican Armed Corps joined escort. The procession passed through the Tapestries nail, which was lined by noble guards iri red uniforms. As the cortege entered the anteroom of the Papal apartments, the Pope advanced unescorted and welcomed Die Royal guests. He escorted them to his private parlour. Subsequently their Majesties received at the Villa Patrizi a number of English ecclesiastics and the representatives of various English philanthropic institutions in Rome. Cardinal Gasparri arrived at the Legation at noon for the purpose of returning the Papal visit. He remained to luncheon with the Royalties, and other representatives of the Vatican also attended, the ceremony numbering 20. AN UNPRECEDENTED HONOUR. ROME, May 9. At 3 o’clock Cardinals Bisleti, Vannu telli, and Merry del Val conveyed to the British Sovereigns the greetings of the Sacred College. This is quite unprecedented, and was not done for the Kaiser. THE KING ON AGRICULTURE. ROME, May 9. King George placed wreaths on King Victor Emmanuel’s and King Humbert’s tombs in the Pantheon, and also on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. King George visited the International Institute of Agriculture. In a speech he expressed his personal and active interest in the fortunes and misfortunes of the agricultural industry, not only of his own country and the dominions, but throughout the world. His Majesty said that his sympathy went, out to his fellow-agricul-turists, who had to combat special difficulties owing to the severe fall in prices following the war upheaval. Hie way to peace and prosperity was uphill; but perhaps the best and most direct path was along the lines of co-operation so admirably followed bv the International Institute, which supplied the farmers of all countries with the latest practical scientific information. i OTHER ENGAGEMENTS. ROME, May 9. King George and Queen Mary attended a reception of 700 members of the British colonv at the Embassy, and later, a gala performance of “The Barber of Seville” in the Const-anzi Theatre. A PRECAUTIONARY ARREST. ROME, May 10. King George had an hour’s conference with King Victor during the morning. His Majesty spent the remainder of the day with the Queen, visiting places of interest in the city. D-onald M’Hales, said to be an Irish professor, who was arrested at Genoa be fore King George passed through the city, has been released. The police arrested M'Hales as a precautionarv measure, as it is known that he is an Irishman holding extreme views.