Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-02
AMERICANS REPORTED SAFE
TaOrmina, Sicily, Where Many Were
Stopping, is Little Damaged.
SPECIAL MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
President VIII Make suggestions for
Immediate Relief work by
GOvernment-Half Million
Raised I'm New York.

Raised in New York.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Good news for
many Americans was received at the
State department today in a cableSram
from Ambassador Griscom at Rome, who
reported that the Italian Foreign office
had assured him that Taormina, Sicily.
has escaped %uninjured. This, Mr.. Girls
com says, answers many Inquiries re-
ceived from this country regarding rola-
tives and friends there. The italian
Foreign office. Mr.. Griscom adds. has re-
ceived a dispatch saying there is no off
cial news in regard to the American con-
sulate at Messina.
A more careful scrutiny Of the data
showing the stores aboard the naval sup
ply ship Culgoa, now at Suez, disclosed
quantities of staple articles, much of
which it is thought will not be required
By the battleships. This cannot be de-
termined finally, however. until the YES
sells reach Suez. AS in the case of the
battleships some time must elapse before
the Culgoa could reach the earthquake
region.
Today the Navy department was in
communication with Admiral Sperry, who
said that he would want $4,000 tons of
coal for his ships at Port Said, where
the program of the Navy department
contemplated their coaling.
Contributions for the earthquake suf-
ferers continue to arrive at the Ameri-
can Red Cross headquarters. Miss Mabel
T.. Boardman, a member of the executive
committee, was at headquarters today SUI
pervising the work there.
Special Message to Congress.
Instead of taking a days vacation to-
morrow, as had been planned originally,
President Roosevelt will remain at his
office to consider how best the nation
may show In a substantial way it's SYM
pathy with the italian people in their
great hour of need and distress. As an
outcome of the day, the president hopes
to be able to formulate a message to
congress to be laid before that body when
1t convenes Monday recommending spe-
cific action on the part of the nation.
The president has asked Senator Hale,
acting chairman of the committee on APP
propriations and the committee on naval
affairs, to discuss the matter with him to-
morrow. For a similar purpose the presi-
dent will invite members of his cabinet,
Secretary of State Root, Secretary Of the
Navy Newberry and Assistant Secretary Of
State Bacon. The views of several leaders
OF the house probably will be ascertained
during the day by the president. The ques-
ton OF diversion of the supplies designed
for the fleet on its arrival in the Mediter-
ranean sea, of a direct appropriation to be
sought at the hands of congress for the
relief Of southern Italy and other proposed
measures of relief will be considered in all
their phases at the conference at the White
House tomorrow.
Americans Reported Safe,
Several persons believed to have been in
the earthquake In Italy, regarding whom
Information was asked. are reported safe
in the dispatches received at the State de-
partment today. James Wood Of Mount
Kisco, N. T., reported he had a telegram
from Miss Katherine Davis Of that place.
whose where bouts are not stated, but who
calls for money to aid the sufferers.
@. c.. DeHart Of FL zab eth, N. j., reported
that Miss Mary Sherman of Elizabeth is
safe.
John D'Urso of Pittsburg asked the de-
partment for information regarding Stellario
D'Urso Giovanni, cashier of the Bazio
Consume city hall, Messina.
Regarding William II. Bishop, consul at
Palermo, the State department is OF the
opinion that he ought TO be there. How
ever, no Information has been received from
him.
A dispatch from Consul Gale at Malta
says he has no details regarding the de-
struction by the earthquake in Messina.
American Consul Crowpinshield at Naples
telegraphs that he has sent an agent to
Messina.
Half Million Raised.
NEW YORK, Jan. 1.-The spontaneous
action throughout the country to succor the
distress of Italy has assumed the character
Of an imposing national movement. All
sections of the country are joining in a
humane and practical expression in behalf
Of the afflicted nation. Already over 500, 100
in cash is in hand and most of this sum
has been cabled or is on its way to Italy.
Governors Of states and mayors Of cities
issued appeals and a message from the
president to congress is expected when
that body reassembles on Monday. The
Canadian government has appropriated
1900 and the city of Toronto has added
5000. About $4,000 worth OF supplies are
already on the way to Italy on the United
States supply ship Celtic. With the ap-
preparation which the American congress
Is expected to make, the aggregate from
the United States and Canada will run
into the millions.
Archbishop Farley in a letter addressed
to the pastors of his archdiocese, which was
read today in all the Roman Catholic
churches of this city, calls on the priests
Of the diocese to take up a collection on
Sunday, January 8, for the benefit OF the
sufferers OF the Calabria and Sicily earth
quake.
Contributions of New Workers for the
earthquake sufferers already amount to
nearly $4,000. The Red Cross has re-
ceived the largest amount, about $4,000.
the Stock exchange following with 81, 900.
Numerous Italian funds aggregate about
$4,000. Moreover. provisions for $1,000 per-
sons for one month and clothing for about
10000 went from here yesterday on the
supply ship Celtic.
A general relief COMMITTEES to take charge
OF all subscriptions for the earthquake suf-
ferers contributed by the Italians OF New
York was organized today at a largely at
tended meeting Of representative Italian
citizens. Consul General Rayboudi Mas