The Cairo bulletin., 1909-04-07
ROOSEVELT AND
KING OF |AALY
MET YESTERDAY AT MESSlNA.
SCENE OF RECENT EARTH
QUAKE DISASTER.
MEETING MOST CORDIAL
Sovereign Thanku Expire esident Foe
Services Rendered by U. q. For
Earthquake Sufferers-Pose
For Pictures.

Messina, April 6-Theodore Roose.
welt and King Victor met today or
the Italian battleship Reumberto in
Messina. harbor. The meeting was
characterized by the utmost cordial
ity and the kieg took occasion to ex-
press the gratitude Of himself and
the Italian people for the generous as
sistance the American people tender
ed to the earthquake sufferers.
At the close of the interview Roos =
welt went ashore and inspected the
ruins of the city, the desolation of
which moved him strongly. He then
boarded the steamer Admiral, which
just at sunset hosted her anchors
and proceeded on her way TO Nom
basa The Admiral arrived at Mes
slna at two O'Clock this afternoon and
was saluted by the ReUmberto with
the king Gn board which reached
here this morning.
Almost Immediately Capt Pfeister,
former Italian military attache at
Washington and now aide to Armiral
Mirabello, wastaken to the Admiral
in a launch, and inquired for Roosc-
welt. To him the king said he sent
his compliments, and would have
great pleasure in receiving the for
mer president Of the United States
Roosevelt, accompanied by his sor,
Kermit, and Ambassador Griscom
proceeded at once to the battleship
The king met The party at the head
of the gangway and he greeted the
ex-president effusively, shaking him
warmly by the hand. He did not wish,
he said to allow the opportunity to
aHce of so distinguished man.
Above all, he wanted personally to
thank the ex-president for the help
extended by America at the time of
the earthquake. You are now able,
he added, TO understand better what
a terrible disaster it was"
Roosevelt replied thanking the SOW
ereign for the compliment paid him
in inviting him to come aboard the
ReIJmberto. He said the American |
people did not wish any thanks for |
what they had done, as they had |
merely tried to do their duty and |
knew no better way to confront tle |
immense need than by their work and |
contributions. The conversation then |
turned tothe hunting trip to Africa |
the king saying that his tastes also |
ran in that direction.
After moro than half an hours con |
versation the king accompanied his |
guest ashore, where a photograph was
made of the group consisting of his |
majesty. the eX-president, Kermit |
and the American ambassador. At
the suggestion of the king Roosevelt |
snapped a picture CT his majesty, |
Admiral Mirabello, Kermit and Am
bassador Griscom, amid much laugh
ter.
Before leaving the ship the king sa-
luted Roosevelt wishing him a happy
and successful trip and much good
luck in the way of hunting. He ask
ed Roosevelt TO promise that he would
visit Rome on his return, when the
queen would be pleased to make his
acquaintance. The king then took his
departure, not wishing to accompany
the party over the ruins.
Roosevelt was charmed with the
courtesy of thelting and declared thai
it was the most interesting half hour
he had spent since he left the United
states. The inspection of the ruins
then began. In the American quar-
ter Roosevelt congratulated the Amer
ican workers on the speed win
which they had constructed houses.
He shook hands with the mon from
America who ar directing the work
leaving them highly delighted at the
chance which brought them before
the ex-president.
Roosevelt's departure from the city
to 60 aboard the steamer was mark
ed with scenes that moved him to
emotion. Although it was raining
heavily by this time, the people gath
cred in crowds Women kissed their
hands to him, children thre flowers
in his path and men cheered wildly.
1t was a spontaneous greeting to
one who had been their best friend.
Turning TO one of his party Rocse-
welt said Il am glad and proud as an
American citizen that my country
could do somethingto help the suffer
ers in this immens disaster; for
which even all the assistance in the
world would he insufficient"
The steamer Admiral left Naples
soon after midnight and Roosevelt
was gla dof the opportunity for rest.