The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-04
DespaIring People Of Messina
Look Upon Their Queen As
An Angel Of Mercy
DANGER is FACED WITH
A COMMANDING SPIRIT
Only the Surface OF the Ruined City
Has Been Gone Over and Hundreds
May Yet Be Alive Under
Fallen Buildings.

Messina, January 3.-Although Queen
Helena during the last few days has been
called upon to witness appalling scenes to
which she was totally unaccpstomed, and
which so affected her that tears We're
never far from her eyes, she still has con-
soIations which must bring comfort to
her in her noble work. While at Rome the
Queen goes abroad almost unnoticed; In
this place the ground she walks upon is
literally worshpped She has but to ap-
pear to have the whole neighborhood on
their knees before her, wishing to toucn
her hands or gown Daily she visits the
ships where the wounded lie. 1t is
most touching sight to see aged men try
ing to straighten up when she comes to
their bedsides; women kiss her hand and
the children smile and seek to win
glance of her eye. She speaks to each,
holding UP many weary heads and admin
istering medicines and cordals with her
own hands; gives biscuits to the children,
while from the mother she draws tenderly
the tale of their sufferings and misfor-
tunes. She is called by these "Our Lady
of Mercy"
Another side of the Queens character
was shown on Friday evening, when
slight earthquake shock caused a great
panic among the patients is an improvised
hospital The Queen was first 10 reailze
the danger, not in the shock, but IN the
panic. She suddenly was transformed
from the nurse into a commanding figure,
dominating the hysterical crowd OF SUI
ferers with the indomitable spirit and In
yincible courage inherited from her race
Of mountaineers. With shining eyes, WIN
truly regal gestures, she caiieo De
ral,nr'' actually placing her own person
as a barrier to prevent mao stahipeoe'
The stream of frightened people was al
raadx.f rushing toward the exit but the
outstretched arms of the queen TOT
moment stayed its advance A score OF
more of the patients drew ASIDE. put o'h-
crs. blinded by fright and unable TO con-
trol themselves threw themselves upon
~ Queen who was hurled to one side
Her commanding action however, gave
others present an opportunity to rush to
nor aid and the panic was quickly over
coroe The Queen was bruised about the
chest but fortunately not seriously.
During the first days following the dis
aster the saving of the wounded was the
onlv thing thought of. AS late as Friday
49, ,,rober of persons still living were
token from the ruins, but they died upon
reaching the open air. Practically only
tta surface of the fallen town has been
zone over. An American named "A. con-
wav who was stopping here, made ms es-
cape. .,,a+ +ha
# has now been ascertained tnat the
chain of forts extending around the CITY
~ ,ntoct The powder factory and cart
r;dga factory. together with several mil
linn cartridges, were DESTROYED.
+, 10 believed that Prof francesca san
rei,ce who was attached to the univer-
sitv and who recently made pupnc oe-
tails of his experiments in conhec'o,i WIN
cancer and an anti-toxin serum ioi 10
cure is among the deao. - a,,
r-aoading the earthquake and nothing has
been heard from him since.
Royal Couple Return to Home.
pome January 3.-Having done all that
a. was possible to do in the d1strlcts
laid waste by the earthquake the hlns
and Queen of Italy are returning 10
Rome They have spent the last four
days among the ruins of Sicily and Ca
iapria. the King directing the work OF
rascue and relief and the Quneen min
,starine to the injured. There is a feel-
ing of relief in Italy that their maJes-
ties are coming home.
The American ambassador, LLOYD =.
Griscom. has appointed a coni'nittee Oh
work of utilizing the money from the
RATED States to the best advantage
potb at Messina and Reggie the guards
sra having difficulty in protecting the
.urvivors and the vast treasure In the
rulned buildings from bands or thieves.
II Is reported that six Russian sailors
hava been shot by looters at Messina,
80 tbat 1s criminals have been killed at
Az came place within the last "a hours.
sI hundred persons engaged in pillaging
have been arrested since yesterday. In
on engagement at Reggie between the
nolice and bandits two of the police were
killed. -,
Reports still reach here OF the con-
ttnuas,ce of earth shocks. According TO
these reports new shocks yesterday at
palIario precipitated the entire popuia-
tton into the sea, including both the dead
and living victims of the first quake
At Reggie the people are becoming more
clam. and aid to that city is being sys-
tematically forwarded
Military zones have been established
throughout Calabria.
The United States Is far ahead of other
nations in the relief work. Today Am
bassador Griscom succeeded in finding an
Austrian Lloyd steamer of 5000 tons. cap
able Of carrying 1900 passengers. He
has chartered the steamer for two weeks
and it is being loaded with medical sup
plies and provisions. This will cost $780,
0OO 1t is expected that the steamer will
sail from Civita vecchia, about 80 miles
from Rome, on Thursday. 1t Will be
placed under the orders of the italian
governemnt.
In addition to supplies the American
relief vessel will embark six doctors and
20 male and female nurses, three of the
latter being American girls from New
York, who volunteered their services.
American energy has been strongly man
Tested in the work looking to the relief
of the earthquake sufferers. Ambassador
Griscom and the numbers of the COM
mittee have assumed personal RESPONSE
bility for the expenses of the expedi-
tion, relying upon the American public
for funds.
Prior to engaging the steamer the
amba ssador visited Foreign Minister Tit
toni and asked him II 1t would be a real
service to send to the south vessel prop
erly supplied Signor Tittonio answered
ShAt M would be most appreciated, az