ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1916, Page 5

ITALY.

MR. ASQUITH'S VISIT. PEMENTS THE ALLIANCE. Rome, April 3. mere was a popular demonstration in honor of Mr. Asquith and, when he left for the front, there was a torchlight procession. It is impossible to exaggerate the delight of all classes. The visit has done more to cement the Alliance than the exchange of diplomatic communications for two years. Mr. Asquith succeeded in infusing unshakeable confidence in Britain's determination to wis the war at any cost.

MR. ASQUITH IN ROME. , SPEECHES AT RECEPTIONS. Rome, April 3. ' Mr. Asquith was gratified by his reception. The newspapers consider that his visit seals the unbreakable union of the Allies. They emphasise the insistence with which Mr. Asquith's and Baron Sonnino's speeches at the dinner at the Foreign Office demonstrated the identity of the Anglo-Italian political and economic interests. Mr. Asquith remarked that all England had followed with the heartiest sympathy Italy's heroic struggle towards liberty, unity and independence. Fate had so willed that when the principles and aspirations shared by both countries had been menaced the two should become united in a brotherly alliance to defend the cause of freedom and compel respect for the rights of nations, both weak and strong. He added: "The Allies are ready to face direct hardship with unfailing faith in a final triumph destined to strengthen their essential rights." The municipality gave a great reception to Mr. Asquith at the Capitol. Mr. Asquith, in responding to the, Mayor's oration, said lie was the first British Premier to be received at the Capitol. The law of the nations had sprung from Rome's civilising genius, so no place was more appropriate to reaffirm the saeredness of Europe's common law. Mr. Asquith received a journalists' deputation and attended a dinner at the Embassy, at which there was a brilliant assemblage, including the Ministers and Ambassadors.