The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-02
Queen Helena and Duchess Of
AOsta Bind Up the Wounds
Of the Injured
NAPLES RESPONDS NOBLY
TO THE APPEALS FOR HELP
Old Legend Regarding the Prophecy OF
Destruction of Mcssina Is Recalled.
Duke of Aosta Calls Disas-
ter Scourge From God.

Rome. January Amid the gloomy
and depressing horror, which like
leaden weight oppresses the land' tnat
by all countries has been called the
barren spot of Europe, two noble
female figures stand out as guardian
angels, watching over the afflicted
population. They are Queen Helena
and another Helena, the Duchess or
Aosto. The Queen has given the suf-
ferers her tears and with her own
hands she has bound up their wounds
using her handkerchiefs when other
bandages were lacking. She has given
also of her worldly possession, inciud-
ing the rings from her fingers. The
Duchess of Aosta, who still proudly
signs herself Princess of France. is
performing miracles of love, pity and
endurance at Naples, where the wound
ed are arriving IL great numbers. This
noble woman has given not only pecu-
mary help but has nursed the injured
with demonstrations of affection.
Children, robbed by a cruel fate of
their parents and relatives. have found
in this Princess new and tender
mother.
Several unfortunate little ones have
been conveyed by the Duchess in her
motor car from Bareschere and Schloss
hospitals to her royal palace at Capri
monte.
Response From Naples.
Naples, owing to arrival there OF
several thousand wounded, has had
greater opportunity than her sister
cities to demonstrate her generosity
and the people have responded with
true southern feeling. The members of
the aristocracy have loaned their mo-
tor cars and carriages for the trans
portation of the injured from the docks
to the hospitals and when these
methods of transportation were insult
ficient the poorer classes have come
forward offering all they had, strong
arms to carry litters. A Neapolftan
beggar went to the docks and asked
to help. He was given an injured
child and tenderly he carried his bur-
den to a hospital and deposited it on
bed in a crowded ward. He then re-
merciful employment. An old woman
enveloped in a shawl, was carried
through the streets by sturdy bare
footed fisherman.
The British and Russian sailors who
worked so devotedly at Messina are
the heroes of the day. Whenever they
pass through the streets of Naples
hats and caps are raised in their honor.
nF SfrQi of
sina recalls the sinister prophecy found
in an old Sicilian legend, "the day will
come" the oracle said in answering
question, when the navigator will
make his way through the strait say
, ing. Here once was Sicily"
To the destruction of Messina, Reggie,
Santa Eufemia, Bagnaria, Palmi and Sc
minara must be added the following towns
and villages: Castellate, Polistena, Gin
oueprendi, Hamertina, Simpol, San Pro-
copio, Pizziconi Stefanoconi, Catena, Ros-
alo and Sylla. These places are no more
Royal Aids to Sufferers.
The King and Queen of Italy continue
their pious pilgrimage along what was
once the beautiful and smiling eastern
coast of Sicily, but which today is a des-
olated region strewn with unsepulchered
dead and where thousands are dying in
anguish amid the ruins of their homes.
The Duke of Aosta is also on the scene
devoting himself to the succor of his
countrymen.
The duke has visited Palmi and all the
surrounding villages. This section, after
Messina and Reggie, suffered more heav-
ily than any others. The duke said to
one of the aides with him: THE catas-
trophe indeed is a scourge from God. The
time has come when 1t is no longer possi-
BILE to think about those beneath the
ruins. All hope of saving any Of these
unfortunates after the four days that
have elapsed since the disaster must now
of necessity be abandoned All our efforts \
must be devoted to caring for the wound
ed survivors"
In view of the conditions the govern
ment has decided to concentrate its ener-
gies to removing the injured to points
where they can receive proper attention.
Uninjured survivors also will be assisted
from the devastated territory, and it is
hoped in this way serious epidemics can
be avoided.
Steamers Used for Succor.
The colossal emigrant steamships that
for years past have been engaged in
transporting the surplus population of Ca
labria and Sicily to the four corners of the
world, but especially to the United States.
are today being employed in removing
Messina and Reggie, the two typical
southern cities of Italy, are today no
more The fury of land and sea has COM
passed their ruin, and what little re-
mains Is now to be covered with lime to
prevent the outbreak of epldemics.
The system of gathering the survivors
on board the huge emigrant steamers will
solve one of the most important problems
that confronted the authorities, namely,
that of feeding the people. If it is found
impossible to set the refugees on land,
as accommodations are rapidly filing up
with the wounded, they can be fed on
board ship, for each vessel Is provided
with 80 days rations for full passenger
list. This advantage of feeding. however.
applies only to the survivors of Reggie
and Messna There are still scores Of
smaller inland towns and villages where
II is Impossible to send relief. The con-
ditions in these cities are indeed desper-
ate. The survivors have no shelter What
pver and NO food.