Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-01-08
Meets With Prompt and U,a1i-
nous Response In Congress
100000 FOR NEEDY PEOPLE
Supplies Aboard Two Naval Ships Are
Already on the Way to Earthquake
Survivors-Services of American
Battleship Fleet Were rendered to
Italy, but Would Be Too Late to
Render Much Assistance

Washington, Jan. 5.-Bountiful
provision for the earthquake sufferers
of Italy was made by congress by
unanimous vote. In the house there
was vigorous handclapping as the bill
carrying the appropriation was sent
on it's way.
The munificent sum of $500 ZOO
was granted almost Immediately after
the reception in both houses of a mes
sage from the president calling at
tention to the calamity and the press
ing need for aid for the stricken peo-
pie of a sister nation.
The president will sign the bill,
will be today.
Only the fact that congress was
adjourned for the usual holiday re-
cess when the earthquake occurred
prevented earlier action, although by
the presidents direction and with
confidence of congressional approval
supplies aboard the naval ships
Celtic and Culgoa intended for the
battleship fleet were diverted and or
dered delivered as quickly as their
speed could take them to the scene
of suffering and want. No such gen.
erous help ever was extended to a
stricken people by this government
before.
Confident that the further contribu
lions of the American people would
justify it's assumption of RESPONSE
bility in authorizing Ambassador
Griscom at Rome to charter and load
with supplies a relief vessel and also
to transport refugees, the American
National Red Cross advanced the
necessary means. wherewith to meet
the suggestion of the ambassador
and his committee of Americans in
Rome Over $3.50 900 has been col
lected through the Red Cross alone,
of which $50, 900 represents the ad
vance referred to, one-half of which
the Christian Herald has agreed to
raise.
Because of the belief of the prime
minister of Italy, expressed in a
message in response to a cablegram
from the president to Ambassador
Griscom that the American fleet of
battleships will arrive at the scene Of
the disaster too late to be of great
assistance, conferences are being held
with the view to rearranging their
sailing program, especially as it has
been determined that the fleets visit
to the several Italian ports where
preparations were making for it's APP
propriate reception would be ll-timed
under the present circumstances
President Roosevelt's tender to the
italian government of the services of
American vessels of the fleet was
made Saturday in the following dis
patch, sent by Assistant Secretary
Bacon to Griscom:
The supply ship Celtic, which
sailed from here Dec. 81, and the
supply ship CulgOa, awaiting arrival
of the feet at Port Said with supplies
for the fleet, have been ordered by the
president to proceed to Messina to Of
fer food and medical supplies and
clothing amounting to about $500 900
Eight battleships of the fleet, now on
their way to Italian waters, due tC
arrive from Suez about Jan. IA, ac-
cording to former program. You will
ascertain from the Italian government
whether the services of these or oil
any additional vessels of the fleet car
in any way be of use"
Contributions of money for the re-
lief of the sufferers from the earth
quake continue to pour into the head
quarters of the American Nationa
Red Cross society. The subscriptions
thus far amount to $40, 758.