The Cairo bulletin., 1909-01-05

Washington, Jan. 4.--Bountlful pro
vision for the earthquake sufferers OF
Italy was made by congress today,
and that too. by a unanimous vote.
In the horse there was a vigorous
hand cIapping as the bill carrying the
appropriation was sent on its way.
The muniicent sum OF $500 900 was
granted almost Immediately after the
reception In both houses of the mes
sage from the president calling at
tention to the calamity and the press
ing need for aid for the stricken peo
pla of a sister nation
The presidents signature was not
affixed to the bill tonight as it did
not reach him, neither the vice pres.-
dent nor the speaker of the house
yet having signed. The house had
been adjourned and Speaker Cannon
had left the capitol before the senate
passed the measure.
viii Sign Today.
The president will sign the bill,
making It effective, when It reaches
him, which probably will be tomor-
row only the fact that the national
legislature was adjourned for the
holiday recess when the earthquake
occurred prevented early action, a.
though by the presidents direction
and with the confidence of congress
sicnal approval, supplies aboard Of
naval ships Celtic and Culgoa in
tended for the battleship eet We're
diverted and ordered delivered as
quickly as their speed capacity could
take them to the scene of suffering
and want,
No such generous help was ever eX.
tended to a stricken people by this
government before
Legislators Were Eager to Act
Legislators, anticipating the presl- /
dents message and filled with a sym
pathetic desire to lend their votes at |
any proposition which would bring |
relief, were early in their seats and |
prepared to take immediate action.
Confident that further contribu- 4
tiCns OF the American people will /
justify its assumption of response |
bility i'm authorizing Ambassador |
Grlscom at Rome to charter and load /
with supplies a relief vessel, and also
transport refugees. the American Ma
tioEal Red Cross advanced the neces-
sary means wherewith to meet the
suggestion of the ambassador and his
committee of Americans in Rome.
Ovei $4,000 has been collected \
through the Red Cross alone. of
which 100000 represents the advance
referred to.
Fleet May Not Visit Italy.
because of the belief of the prime
minister of Italy, expressed in
me ssage today in response to a cable
gram from the president to Griscom.
transmitted last Saturday that the
American fleet Of battleships will ar
rive at the scene of thed fsaster too
late to be of great assistance. con
ferences are being held with a view
to rearranging their sailing program.
especially as it has been determined
that the fleets visit TO several Italian
ports while preparations were max
ing for its appropriate reception
would be i'll timed under the circrm-
stances
Contributions Of money for the re
lief Of the sufferers from the earth
quake continue pouring into the head
quarters Of the American National
Rel Cross society and the work in |
connection with the activities of the /
society keeps its staff here extremely A,
busy.
Yesterdays Subscriptions.
TOday's subscriptions amount to
si9..75S. The largest contributions
were
Illinois Eranch Red Cross sf0441.
California $4,000.
District Of Columbia &C. .098.
italian Relief Committee. Nj 4
uru 4