The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-01-09
BIG sum FOR ITALY
Victims of Earthquake Given
100000 by Congress.
UNANIMOUS IN BOTH HOUSES
Quick and Generous Response to Pros
ident RooseveIt's Message Asking
Appropriation for Sufferers-Relief
Steamer Chartered by Griscom.

Washington, Jan. 5.-Bountiful pro.
vision for the earthquake sufferers Of
Italy was made by congress yesterday
and that, too, by unanimous vote.
In the house there was vigorous
handclapping as the bill carrying the
appropriation was sent on its, way.
The munifcent sum OF 100000 was
granted almost Immediately after the
reception in both houses Of a message
from the president calling attention to
the. calamity and the pressing need
for aid for the stricken people Of a
sister nation. ssss e.
4aF.y oa.az.the fact that. tho national Leg
is1ature was adjourned for the holiday
recess when the earthquake occurred
prevented earlier action although by
the presidents direction and with con-
tidence of congressional approval sup
plies aboard the naval ships Celtic and
Culgoa, intended for the battleship
feet, were diverted and ordered de-
Nvered as quickly as their speed ca
pacity could take them to the scene
of suffering and want.
Relief Steamer Chartered.
Rome, Jan. 5.-Ambassador Girls
com and the members of the American
relief committee have signed a con-
tract for the acquisition for two
weeks of the Austrian Lloyd steam
ship Oceania. The steamer is of 5000
tons and can accommodate 1,400 steer
age and 100 first-class passengers. She
is now being fitted out, and when
ready 10000 persons can be taken
care of aboard for ten days. In addi-
tion,T food supplies will be distributed
ashore to several thousand people.
Ambassador Griscom yesterday de-
livered to Count Taverna, head of the
Italian Red Cross, s250,00O from the
American Red Cross. Count Taverna
was overwhelmed and said he would
make an: exception to the rule which
forbids the distribution of money
through any but Red Cross channels,
and returned to the ambassador $4,000
which he had contributed to the ex.
penses of the relief ship.
King and Queen Return.
Rome, Jan. 4.-Having done all that
it was possible to do in the districts
laid waste by the earthquake, the king
and queen Of Italy are returning 10
Rome. They have spent the last four
days among the ruins of Sicily and
Calabria, the king directing the work
of rescue and relief and the queen min
istering to the injured. There is a
feeling of relief in Italy that their ma
jesties are coming home.
Many: Looters Are Shot.
Both ct Messina and Reggie the
guards are having difficulty in protect
ing the survivors and the vast treas
ure in the ruined buildings from the
bands of thieves that are swarming
everywhere. It is reported that six
Russian sailors have been shot by loot
ers at Messina and that 16 criminals
have been killed at the same place
within the last "a hours. Six hundred
persons engaged in pillagfng have
been arrested since Saturday. In an
engagement at Reggie between the
police and bandits, two of the police
were killed.
Reports still reach here Of the con.
tinuance of earthshocks, some of
which are of sufficient force to do fur.
ther great: damage. According to these
reports, new shocks Saturday at Pei
lario precipitated the entire population
into the sea, including both the dead
and living victims of the first quake.
At Reggie the people are becoming
more calm and aid to that city is now
being systematically forwarded. Mill
tary zones have been established
throughout Calabrta.
Typheid Fever at Messina.
Home. Jan. 6.-The report from
Messina that typhoid fever has broken
ont there has allied the authorities