The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-07
ROOSEVELT MEETS THE KING OF ITALY Great CordiaIity Marks the
 Meeting At MeSSina KING WISHES GOOD LUCK MT. Roosevelt Visits the Ruined City and Talks With American Work
 CTS Who Are Building
 American Houses.
KING WISHES GOOD LUCK

Messina, April 6.-Theodore Roosevelt and King Victor Emmanuel met today on the Italian battleship Re Umberto in Mes sina harbor The meeting was marked by the utmost cordiallty and the King took occasion to express the gratitude of him. self and the ItaliaR people for the gener- ous assistance of the American people to the earthquake sufferers. At the close of the interview MT. Roosevelt went ashore and inspected the ruins of the city, the desolation of which moved him strongly. He then boarded the steamer Admiral, which, just at sunset, hoisted her an- chors and proceeded on her way to Mom-, basa. The Admiral arrived at Messina about o'clock in the afternon and was saluted by the Re Umberto, with the King on board, which reached here in the morning. Almost immediately Captain Pfeister, the former Italian military at tache at Washington and now aid to Ad- miral Mirabello. was taken to the Ad- miral in @ launch and inquired for Mir. Roosevelt. To him he said the King sent his compliments and would have great pleasure in receiving the former President of the United States. MT. Roosevelt's face lit up with pleased smile and, accom- panied by his son, Kermit, and AmbaSsa- dor Griscom, he proceeded at once to the battleship. The King met the party at the head of the gangway and he greeted the ex-President effusively, shaking him warmly by the hand. He did not wish, he said, to allow the opportunity to pass of making the personal acquaintance of so distinguished a man. Above all, he want ed personally to thank the ex-President for the help extended by America at the time of the earthquake.
 You are now able" he added ito un- derstand better what terrible disaster it was"
 MT. Roosevelt replied, thanking the sov- ereign for the compliment paid him In in- viting him to come aboard the Re Umber to. He said that the American people did not wish thanks for what they had done as they had merely tried to do their duty and knew no better way to confront the immense need than by their work and contributions.
 Before leaving the King saluted MT. Roosevelt, wishing him a happy and successful trip and much good luck in the way of hunting. He asked Mr. Roosevelt to promise that he would visit Rome on his return, when the queen would be pleased to make his acquaintance. The King then took his departure, not wishing to accompany MT Roosevelt over the ruins. Mr. Roosevelt was charmed with the cour- tesy of the King.
 In the American quarter MT. Roose- welt congratulated the American work CTS on the speed with which they con- structed the huts. He shook hands with the men from the American navy xuIo 1irnrttng fba work Considerable trouble was experienced in making their way through the city and rain, which soon began to fall, added greatly to the difficulties of the journey as the mud was very deep. In the hut where the American work CTS made their headquarters glass of wine was offered MT. Roosevelt, who, raising the glass, said:
 q drink to all the men of what ever nationality who have worked and are working to relieve what befell the Sicilian people"
 The ex-President' departure from the city to go aboard the Admiral was marked with scenes that moved him to emotion. Although it was raining heavily by this time, the people gath cred in crowds. The women kissed their hands to him, the children threw flowers in his path and the men cheered wildly. Turning to one of the mem- bers of his party MT. Roosevelt said: q am glad and proud as an Amer ican citizen that my country could do something to help this immense dis aster, for which even all the assist ance in the world would be insuffl- cient."
 The Steamer Admiral left Naples soon after midnight and after so stren- uous a day, the ex-President was not long in seeking rest.