Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-07

making their way through the Guy. anu
E,ain which soon began to fan addeo
rrcatlv to the difficulties of the journey
as the mud was very deep. IN the nu'
where the American workers maze 'hel'
headquarters, a glass OF WINE was w
fered to Mr.. Roosevelt. who, raising the
glass said:
II drink to all. the men, of whatever
nationality, who have worked ana are
working to relieve what befell the Slcli-
ian people"
The people of Italy, he added, would
have energy enough to rebuild Messina.
but it was work for Titans.
The ex-President's departure from the
CITY to 90 aboard his steamer was marked
by scenes that moved him 10 einotloii'
though it was raining heavily by TINS
time the people gathered in crowds. Inc
women kissed their hands TO MN, the
children threw flowers in his pain ana
the men cheered wildly. 1T was spoh-
taneous greeting to one who had Deem
their friend Turning to one of the mem
bers of his party. Mr.. Roosevelt SAID
II am glad and proud as an American
citizen that my country could DO some
thing to help this immense disaster 'o'
which even all the assistance IN the "o' ~
would be insufficient
The steamer Admiral left Naples soon
after midnight. and after so strenuous
day the ex-President was not long in
seeking rest.
Arising early in the morning. MI
Roosevelt was soon out on deck armed
With a pair of marine glasses. The ar
was balnly and the sunshine brilliant
After the buffe ting they had received
from Gibraltar to Naples. the trip down
the coast today was like sailing on q
lake. The whole morning was spent
on deck and Mr.. Roosevelt had good
opportunity to learn much of those OF
the party who had been through the
thrilling experience of the earthquake
concerning the tragic details Of that
DISASTER
About II O'Clock the Admiral passed
close to the Lpari Islands, Str"m-
boil From the scene of the volcano.
more than 5000 feet high. a column Of
smoke rose majestically and was swept
far away in fleecy clouds. The village
Of Stromboli. white like Moorish town
lay low down by the sea At +unch6on,
which was hastily disposed of, the eX-
President had before him the vase OF
carnations sent by the German En-
neror. There was little ceremony over
this meal, and soon all rushed on deck
again, SO that they might not lose the
view OF the entrance of MeSsina har-
Dor All that was left of the pOpula-
ton Of that once busy city gathered
early near the landing place TO wit
ness the arrival of the distinguished
party.
AS the Admiral approached the shore,
the eN-President made exactly the same
remark as hundreds of other who have
visited the ruins and observed them
from affair:
There is more standing than l ex-
pectcd."
When. however, he saw behind those
Shells Of what were once the walls OF
splendid palaces. he was perfectly
aghast, saying that it was impossible
to form any idea OF the completeness
of the disaster without occular demon
stra ton. There have been changes at
Messina since the early days just after
the earthquake. All along the sea-
front nov, huts. tents and Inakeshfts
Of various kinds have been erected.
There is certain noise and hustle
something of its former activity. Very
small shops are tucked away in door
ways, or an isolated room left here
and there in the general destruction.
An occasional horse is to be seen, Whine
a kind Of open air market is held for
the sale and barter of the necessaries
Of life. Numerous craft We're to be no
ticed in The harbor. from battleships to
fruit sc0ws
Mr.. Roosevelt and mis- party pene-
trated into the interior of the town,
now desert waste. practically COM
posed OF gigantic rubbish heap from
30 to 80 feet in height. Great blocks
of stone and ancient columns lay scat
tc'td among the rubbish, where dan
gerous walls had been pulled down
Th" line of the streets was preserved
only by tracks worn by the civilians
survivors, the soldiers and the police
eXtr' mely narrow and in some places
difficult to negotiate. No trees or
gr en- thing met the eye. and there
was scarcely a person to be seen, so
terrible and vast was the DISSOLUTION
1t seemed impossible that anyone
should live in such a wilderness of
ruins
The former President was strangely
moved by the pitiful spectacle of a
city destroyed, and on the way back
to the sea front he spoke most SYM
pathetically of the sufferings OF the
Sicilians and Of the mysterious intlu-
ence that held them to their deVast-
ed country Arrived again in the pop
ulated quarters it seemed as though
the people We're not so unhappy after
all They showed certain serene
contentment and everywhere greeted
Mr.. Roosevelt with great enthusiasm
The scene about the harbor front was
characteristic. The handsome Sicilian
women with their beautiful, half nak-
ed children. appeared, in their bright
colors, as though in pictures painted
by Murillo or some other of the noted
artists while the man of Arab type
We're just as attractive. in their own
way
The crowds followed the American
ty wherever it went, cheering fire.
quently and shouting viva American.