SPANISH ROYALTIES

Southland Times, Issue 19102, 21 November 1923, Page 5

SPANISH ROYALTIES

VISIT TO ROME POPULARLY RECEIVED BY ITALIANS SPECTACULAR CALL ON THE POPE. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Reuter’s Telegrams.) ROME, November 19. King Alfonso and Queen Victoria of Spain arrived in a special train. The city is gaily decorated. The King and Queen, the Prince of Piedmont, Signor Mussolini, and all Ministers welcomed them at the station. The meeting between Signor Mussolini and General Primo De Rivera, head of the Spanish Directory, was most cordial. The King and Queen of Spain were received at the Vatican with old time ceremonial. Their Majesties remained with the Pope for nearly three hours and afterwards with Cardinal Gasparri for half an hour. King Alfonso last night had a conference with Signor Mussolini for an hour. King Alfonso, ■in General de Rivera to the Italian General said: “Here is my Mussolini. You have accomplished your work; we are beginning ours.” A storm prevented the successful meeting of the Italian and Spanish fleets on the high seas. Two Spanish vessels and a submarine were for a long time missing. The submarine was damaged and had to be towed. An Italian sailor was washed overboard from a destroyer. King Alfonso and Queen Victoria and suite drove to the Vatican in motor cars. The Pope wishing that the highest honours be extended to their Catholic Majesties, desired that they come in the ancient gorgeous Papal gala carriages, with picturesque coachmen and outriders, but experts found that the coaches had not been used for so long that they had fallen into disrepair. The Pope urged their repair, but it was discovered that the cost was prohibitive. Even in the Vatican, the economy axe is used nowadays owing to a decline in revenue due to the collapse in exchanges and general depression. Nevertheless, the procession was an attractive spectacle through the decorated and crowded streets, which were flooded with sunshine.