Diary of Lieutenant Commander Charles R. Train, United States Naval Attaché at Rome
[Extract]
Saturday Ap 7.
The paper announced the declaration of war [by the United States] at noon - & at 3 I received a cable from Sec. Navy1 announcing it officially whereupon I paid my respects on the Minister of the Navy Vice Ad Corsi2 & so informed him. At 7- a tremendous demonstration of Romans marched from Piazza Colonna to the Embassy. A committee of citizens paid their respects on the Ambassador,3 while the Embassy staff threw flowers & American flags down upon the crowd, which came to about 15,000 people. M Page made them a speech in Italian . . . I was informed by the Minister that I would receive all privileges & information as other allies.
Source Note: D, DLC-MSS, Charles Train Papers, Box 1.
Footnote 1: Josephus Daniels.
Footnote 2: VAdm. Camillo Corsi.
Footnote 3: Thomas Nelson Page.
