New-York tribune., 1909-01-04
WILL HIRE RELIEF SHIP
TO. BE LOADED QUICKLY.
Red Cross Has Sent $500, 900 Thus
For-Grfscom's Message.

Washington, Jan 3.-To assist the American
peopIe in their efforts to extend relief to the
Italian earthquake sufferers, Secretary Root has
made public cable message received to-day
from Ambassador GrisCOm, presenting the hrst
feasible plan OF meeting the present great eHer-
gency There is no time TO spare In awaiting
the arrival on the scene Of distress OF battle
ships now at Suez of naval supply shlps
crossing the Atlantic. The need for help Is I'M
mediate and how that help can be rendered Is
told in the message dated yesterday at Rome
which follows
have to-day drawn on you for $4,000 and
Maid equivalent to Italian Red Cross. in two
sums $50 coo. from American Red Cross and
s20.0 from The Christian Herald ! nave 10
day seen the President Of the Italian Red cross
who desires ME to inform the American Red
Cross follows:
Problem OF relief very vast. Includes feed
ing. clothing destitute on scene lmlneuldteN' y
and quickly removing nearly whole surviving
population from stricken district to other parts
of Italy. Transportation involves special dim
culties Much money is needed. but if America
desires to offer practical aid Immediately ship
could he chartered by telegraph at Marseilles
or Genoa and loaded with blankets. clothing
linen preserved meats. condensed milk. medical
supplies and similar useful materials. one OF
more such ships, under the direction OF ule
Italian Red Cross. would be useful as trahspoi oitS
and the same time could deposit stores where
needed along the coast. The Italian Red cross
has not yet clearly worked out how all the dlI-
ficulties of relief TO be solved. Supplies are
needed in Sicily and Calabria. but in about two
weeks when the destitute have been removed
will be needed in Naples. Rome. Florence and
other cities where the sufferers are being us
tributed.'
I will he personally glad 70 cooperate with
Red Cross to carry out any plans There are
many Americans In Rome anxious 10 assist in
relief measures GRISCoM
Ir response to the suggestion of the Italian
Red Cross that a vessel might be loaded at
Genoa with provisions and sent TO the scene OF
the earthquake disaster, thus giving quick re
lief to the destitute. the American National Red
Cross tonight cabled S150,Oo0, with the sug
gestion that it could be used by the italian Red
Cross for the purpose of fitting out ship with
provisions and medical supplies. This amount
IS in addition 10 the S1j000 and the SIo.uoo
previously sent by the American Red 'rpSs-
BY sending the money instead Of undertahlns
to provide for the shipment Of supplies. the
American Red Cross adopted what X regards as
the hest method for meeting the emergencies
that face the Italian Red Cross II believes
that the italian society win he able to make the
ARRANGEMENTS more promptly than any other
agency This is in line with the policy or the
American society from the beginning of its re
lief work in behalf of the earthquake sufferers.
In order that the American Red Cross might
have personal representative on the scene OF
| the earthquake Vice-COnsul Rayard Cutting. OF
| Milan is now in the earthquake region having
been sent there by Ambassador Grscom.
| A able message received by the State Depart
| 1nent from Consul Bishop at Palermo to-day IS
! the first information that has come Directly
| from Mr. Bishop. 1t sent from Palermo
| Sicily. and besides confirming the previous in
! formation concerning the death Of Mr Cheney
! and wife reiterates that Consul Lupton was
! unharmed and adds that Lupton mad sailed
| from Messina for point unknown. A message
! from Consul Crowninshleld. from Naples, dated
| to-day also says that he is Informed that MT
! Lupton is safe.