New-York tribune., 1909-04-07
rT4LI1N RULER GREETS
HIN At MESSIN4.
Er-Preadcut Highly Pleased II
Trip Through the Ruins
Chcered by Crozcds.

s;oI+v and the King took the occasion to
.,,ress the gratitude of himself and the italian
.o-le for the generous assistance of the Amer
- neople 70 the earthquake sufferers. At the
- of the interview. Mr.. Roosevelt went
eho-e and inspected the ruins of the city,
hose desolation moved him strongly. He then
to.-5ed the steamer Admiral. which hofsted
~ anchors at sunset. and continued her trip
10 Mombasa-
The Admiral arrived Messiua about
,,.,oc. in the afternoon. and was saluted by
-. BE T-rnberto with the King board. which
cached here in the morning Almost imme
sio+eIv Captain Pfister. the former Italian mil
t..-r attache at Washington. aid to Ad-
,i-a1 Mira bello. taken TO the Admiral in a
,-,cb and presented 10 Mr. Roosevelt the
,-irg,s compliments. adding that his majesty
,,,,l5 have great pleasure in receiving the eN-
z,-ssident Of the United States. MI Roosevelt
,j,e6 and. accompanied by his son Kermit and
,-.,,sssdor Ciriscom went at once 10 the bat
+lssrip The King met the party at the head
- +be gangway and greeted the ex-President
.r,sivsly. shaking him warmly by the hand.
q. did not wish he said. to allow the oppor-
-rIv 70 mass Of making the personal acquain-
+.nos of so distinguished 2 man. Above all he
uanted personally TO thank Mr. Roosevelt for
tbe help extended by America at the time Of
.hs EARTHQUAKE You are now able he added.
-, understand better what terrible disaster
it was
Nr Roosevelt replied. thanking the sovereign
for ths compliment. He said that the American
,eople 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 i'm
nnense need than by their work and contribu-
tions.
KINGS INTEREST IN SHOOTING TRIP.
trip 10 Africa. the King saying that his tastes
also ran in that direction. He mentioned the
expedition Of the Count of Turin in Africa and
expressed the hope that Mr.. Roosevelt would
meet the count there. After more than half an
hours conversation the King accompanied his
guest ashore where q photograph was made OF
: group consisting of his majesty. the eX-Presi-
dent Kermit and the American Ambassador
At the suggestion of the King Mr.. Roosevelt
snapped A picture of his majesty, Admiral
Mirabello. Kermit and Ambassador GriscoIn,
amid much laughter.
Before leaving the city the King saluted Mr-
Roosevelt wishing him A happy and successful
trip and much good luck in finding game tie
asked Mr. Roosevelt to promise that he Would
visit Rome on his return when the Queen would
be pleased TO make his acquaintance The hlns
then took his departure, not wishing to accom-
psn,- the party over the ruins. Mr. Roosevelt
Was charmed with the courtesy Of the King and
said that il was the most interesting half hour
which ne had spent since he left the United
States.
The inspection Of the ruins then began. the
party including Mr.. Roosevelt and Kermit
Ambassador CIriscom. Lieutenant Commander
Belknap. Earl Dodge Winthrop Chandler. Lieu
tenant Allen Buchanan and Ensign j w VII
cox, Of tie United States gunboat Scorpion;
Surgeon Donelson and Ensign R W. Spoford, OF
the United States Steamer Celtic, and John
Elliot. an artist, son-in-law Of Mrs Juia "alo
Howe. In the American quarter Mr.. Roosevelt
congratulated the American workers on the
spesd with which they had constructed the huts-
He shook hands with the men from the Ameri-
can navy who are directing the work, leaving
them highly delighted at the chance which
brought them before the ex-President
DIFFICULTY IN TRAvERSING CITY.
Considerable trouble was experienced in max
ing the trip through the city, and rain, which
soon began TO fall. added greatly TO the diff
culties Of the Journey. as the mud was very
deep. In the hut where the American workers
made their headquarters. \ glass Of wine was
offered 10 Mr.. Roosevelt, who, raising 1t, said:
Il drink 10 all the men. Of whatever nationality,
who have worked and are working to relieve
what befell the Sicilian people" The people
Of Italy, he added, would have energy enough to
rebuild Messina, but it was work for Titans.
The ex-Presidents departure from the city TO
20 aboard his steamer was marked by scenes
which moved him to emotion. Although it
raining heavily the people gathered in crowds,
The women kissed their hands 10 him, the chill
dren threw flowers in his path and the men
cheered wildly. 1t was a spontaneous greeting
10 one who had been their friend Turning to
one OF the members Of his party, Mr.. Roosevelt
said: Y am glad and proud American cit
zen that my country could do something to help
this immense disaster. for which even all the
assistance in the world would be insufficient"
The steamer Admiral left Naples soon after
midnight and after so strenuous day, the ex-
President was not long in seeking rest.
Arising early in the morning, Mr.. Roosevelt
was soon out on deck armed with pair OF
marine glasses The air was balmy and the
sunshine brilliant After the buffeting they had
received on the voyage from Gibraltar TO Ma
pies the trip down the coast to-day was like
sailing on a lake The whole morning was
spent deck, and Mr.. Roosevelt had good
opportunity 10 learn much from those OF the
party who had been through the thrilling ex-
perience Of the earthquake concerning the de-
tails Of that disaster He was particularly in
terested in the stories told by Sgnor Trincheri.
the prefect Of Messina. who under orders from
Premier Giolitti. accompanied Mr.. Roosevelt on
his inspection OF the city. The prefect, who
was wounded I'm the wreck OF his own home ]
told OF having his son buried for many hours
under the ruins. He believed that his son was |
dead. but eventually he was rescued. Such mo-
msnts, Mr.. Roosevelt said. must age man by. /
fifty years.
VIEW OF sTROMBOLL
About II o'clock the Admiral passed close to |
fpar RI TSla