King of Italy Visits St. Petersburg
THE king of Italy arrived at St. Petersburg, Russia, on July 13, and was received with all the courtesies due his rank by the czar and the ministers of his cabinet. A banquet in honor of the royal guest was held in the hall of Peter the Great in the palace, at which the cabinet ministers and the members of the Italian embassy and high court dignitaries were present. The official papers extend a hearty greeting to the visiting king, and congratulate both powers on the fact that there are no differences between them. It is not surmised that an alliance between these nations is the purpose of the Italian king's visit, and yet this visit coming so close after Russia's disappointment over the close of England's war in South Africa and the consequent disarrangement of the plans of Russia, is quite likely to mean the adoption of other plans that will have a far-reaching effect. Russia's unusual course recently of calling a council of educated men of various views to advise plans for the establishment of domestic peace, shows a desire on her part to have a tranquility at home which will enable her to present a solid front to any international problem that may arise. Her course in this being so unusual indicates a more than ordinary desire for domestic harmony.