Rome, Jan. 12. G6]T is as a representative of a great nation, whose desire is to remain on close, friendly and even intimate relations with Janother great nati mn, that 1 am here today." With these words Mr. Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister, described himself and his mission 10 Rome in a speech last night at the Palaza Venezii where a banquet was given in honour of himself land Viscount Halifax, the British Foreign Secretary, following their arrival in the Italian capital a few hours previously.
Mr. Chamberlain said that he was greatly touched by the cordial sentiments expressed by Signor "Mussolini towards himself land his country.
Lord Halifax and he were deeply moved by the warmth of the reception accorded them in the capital of the Italian Empire, he continued.
It was a real pleasure to both of them to revisit Italy and see the new Italy—powerful and progressive—which had arisen under Signor Mussolini's guidance and inspiration, Alluding 40 the "fattering" refer= ence, by Il Duce, to his part in fiad-{ng a solution to the' September isis, Mr. Chamberlain "reiterated that all were deeply indebted for the help and ce-operation that Signor Mussolini had contributed so deci-ively to the peaceful result of the of Sunien Conference.
The British Prime Minister declared that he had come to Rome in pursuit of the potiey by which he Stood—a policy of friendship with all fand enmity with none, directed to a Just and peaceful solution of inter rational didiculties by the method of was happy to think, he declared, that their two Governments were able to give concrete express sion. to. this policy in the Anglo-Mahan "Agreement.
Afler announcing, "as one first fruite of the Agreement the two Governments had begun to exchange military "information, Mr. Chamberlain added: "Convinced as wer are that our. interests in the Mediterranean, while vitally import-fant to us both, yet need in no way conflict with one another, we believe that the Agreement has opened a new chapter of friendship ud con= fidence between us, which should be fruitful, for the future stability of Europe."
"The British Prime Minister expressed the hope that "the two ations would ce-operate in the task Of securing lasting peace in Europe.
Toast (o Emperor Given He concluded with a toast to the King of Moly and Emperor of Ethiopia and to the prosperity of the Mahan people.
Signor Mussolini then proposed the health of the British statesmen and cordially greeted "our most welcome guests who represent a great and friendly nation."
He voiced the sympathy with which the Ialian people followed the efforts of Mr.. Chamberlain and the British Government.
"The spirit of comprehension and firmness," be declared, "with which you, Mr, Chamberlain, have perser ally, "collaborated towards a fal Solution of those problems "which Weighed on the life of Europe last September, and the tenacity with Which you pursued a programme of Feconeiliation and peace, have been most sincerely appreciated by my country. which has always believed peace founded "on fustico—this being the final gos! envisaged by the people of Fascist Italy.
"The Anglo-Italian Agreements, which recently entered into force. have placed relations between Great Britain and Italy on a sound basis. They have not only reconstituted the friendship between the two countries, on a new phase of friendship and Understanding of the new Meditersnean and African realities, but they have also opened the road to collaboration, which is 9 necessary Clement to" peace. in Europe. and which, we hope, will be both lasting to that hope, 1 add my sincerest feeling. of friendship for You, person-oily."
Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Halifax: were loudly" applauded by large crowds og they drove today to the Quirinal, 10 attend a lunch at which the tore' visiting' British statesmen were the guests of honour. Present at the Tuncheon were the Prince of Piedmont, Sinner Mussolini, Ciano, Lord "Perth. Count ' Grandi, allan Ministers of State, and high officials of the Royal Household.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.