New-York tribune., 1909-01-01
FLEET MAY 60 TO AID
american J10rships to the
Scene of Disaster COntcm plated.
From The Tribune Bursau.I

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, Dec Silt is entirely probable
that the great American battleship feet will
close its trip around the world with an act Of
international humantarianism which has no
parallel in history. Steps hava already been
taken to ascertain whether the ships Of the feet.
with their $4,000 disciplined men and their ex-
fansive stores and medical supplies. cannot rem
der important assistance to the stricken people
Of Messfua Reggie and other devastated Italian
municipalities.
THO first suggestion that the feet could be
utilized to mitigate suffering and perhaps save
tho lives of some of the stricken people was
contained in an editorial in The Tribune Of TINS
morning. and the President had no sooner seen
!, -bo,, he raouested that the Secretary Of the
%av- hiring to the White House information re-
cardine the exact location of the feet and us
sailing distance computed in hours. from the de-
,.as+ated locality. Communication was also hao
NTH the Italian embassy. where ii was learned
that the ambassador had returned to Washins
,o, and would call on the Secretary OF state d'
an early hour
BEFORE Baron des PIanches had started for the
state DEPARTMENT he received word from MISS
Mabel Roardman. of the executive comrnlt'ee u
tn, National Red Cross. that she had cabled TOT
,ro+ orqauization S50. 900 to the American EN-
bassv al Rome to be handed to the Italian Red
cross for the immediate relief Of the sufferers
4 cable message was also sent 10 the HailaIi
Red cross asking if food and other supplies were
needed.
The Secretary Of the Navy reported TO the
president that the fleet was due at Port Said on
Sunday. that it would he necessary FOR. thoQ1 10
Goa, there. and that orders sent by cable on
,,o,da,- or Tuesday would be In ample time TO
,it their movements without loss of time
This information was Immediately Communicat-
ID to secretary Root. and it was decided TO
os.artain the wishes If the Italian government
before taking any definite steps The president
determined however, to send TO Congress a
.r.ciaI message on Monday, requesting gen
o-o,,s appropriation for the relief of the earth
Quake sufferers and if it is learned that the
ItaIian government would welcome the assist
ance Of the American feet. the message may
reouest authority not only to direct the fleet TO
render such assistance as possible out also 10
lot. supplies of all kinds to the work Of
succor.
t,,r,. in the forenoon the Italian Ambassador
ed At the. state Department to thank, in
H. name of his government, the American peO-
- tbrnusli the Secretary of State, for the
,.,,ron5 hnancial assistance rendered through
the Red cross Secretary Root intimated TO
tba Ambassador the desire of the American
government to render every assistance possible
and the wish to send to the scene of the dis
oster the American teer If ii was deemed ad-
,,;sab.e by the Italian authorities. explaining
that in all probability. the vessels could not
reach there before January 10.
Secretary Root indicated after the call Of the
Ambassador that probably no effort would be
made to reach decision regarding the advisa-
Heef m
earlier than Monday as no time would be lost
Nv, waiting while the italian authorities would
Continued on third page.