New-York tribune., 1909-01-05
PRAISES ARMY AND NAVY
King Declares State of Siege-Pope
Welcomes Sufferers.

Rome jan 4.-Upon the arrival Of fifteen
hundred injured from Messina and Reggie this
morning Mayor Nathan telephoned to the Vat-
can asking whether these unfortunates could
be taken in there The Vatican replied in the
affirmative. an dthe injured were received there
with open arms. To realize fully what this INCL
dent signifies it must be explained that Sisnor
Nathan is not a Catholic and that he was at
one time grand master of the Free Masons.
The Pope In his desire to bring the Wounded
consolation, passed through the Basiiica or 81.
Peters over the arch connecting the basllicd
with the hospital. Although he did not actually
set foot on Italian territory, he in reality went
outside that area which, under the law, is guar
anteed and enjoys the right of extra-territorlal-
ity The hospital, although belonging 10 lhe
Pope stands on Italian ground.
The Pope's entrance into the hospital was the
sign for an outburst of emotion, not only on the
mart of the patients but even from the Pope
himself and the members of his suite. Many OF
those who were not gravely wounded insisted on
tumping out of bed to kneel and kiss the Pom
tiff's hand The Pope spoke consolingly to each
unfortunate He said that since the earth
quake he had lived only 10 think OF them and
study the best means OF helping them All his
prayers to the Almighty, he said. had implored
mercy, clemency and power 30 undergo the ter
rible strain and to rise up again through the
comfort of religion.
King Victor Emmanuel has addressed an or
der of the day to the army and navy, in which
he SAYS he has again had personal proof Of the
heroism of the soldiers and sailors, and COM
rnends highly the men of the foreign warships
in uniting their efforts to those of the valorous
Italian officers and sailors. The Kings order
is as follows:
In the terrible misfortune which has over
taken a vast part of our Italy, destroying two
large cities and numerous villages in Calaoria
and Sicily / have again personal PROOF OF the
magnificent work of the army and navy and Of
the men of the foreign ships Uniting their ef-
forts they accomplished work OF sublime mercy,
snatching from the ruins with acts of true hero
ISM the unhappy buried victims, nursing the
wounded, sheltering the survivors and providing
for their needs. Added to recent memories Of a
terrible spectacle which has profoundly moved
me- springs up in my soul, and vividly survives.
the sentiment of admiration which address to
the army and navy.
NV grateful thought goes also to the admiral Is.
officers and sailors of the Russian. British, Ger
man and French ships. who, with an admirable
example of human solidarity, gave such a gen.
erous and .fruitful contribution of mind and
work.
royal decree was issued tonight proclaim
ing a. state of siege in the earthquake region
and appointing General Mazza Royal ,Extraor-
! binary Commissioner Nobody will be allowed
To go within the area OF the disaster without
| special permission from the government The
adoption of this measure considered nee
| essary to prevent the hocking to Messina and
Reggie Of persons whose presence would only
embarrass the relief work Hereafter only
! those will be allowed to go south who will be
OF actual assistance.
Ambassador Griscom, with view TO the
quick transportation of American supplies to
| the earthquake zone, has chartered for this
| purpose the German Lloyd steamer Bayern. He
had engaged the Oceania. but 1t was found that
! the Bayern could be made ready more quickly
! II is expected she will sail from Naples on
| Wednesday.
| Ambassador Griscom to- day delivered to Count
| Tsverna head OF the Italian Red Cross. S250,000
| from the American Red Cross. Count Tayerna
| was overwhelmed, and said he would make an
| exception TO the rule which forbids tne dlstrl-
| button Of money through any but Red Cross
! channels and returned to the ambassador $4,000
which he had contributed to the expenses of the
relief ship The count added tnat a one @ o. the ths
/ pronpt distribution of supplies, ana therefore
\ outside help was warmly welcomed
Many women OF the aTistocraey have become
/ nurses The women OF the Italian Red Cross
L under the initiative of Princess Teano formerly
Princess Vittorio Colonna have sent chartered
! steamer fitted for hospital uses. to the earth
quake district.
II has been ascertaned that Florence Twining
/ and Mary Carruthers both from New York. who
/ were thought to have been In the earthquake
territory, safe at Amalf
] Parliament will be convoked January H. The
Minister of War says that the forts around Mes
| sna, which contain tons OF powder and millions
| of cartridges, have not been injured. He asC
saws that while he at Messna at least fif-
| teen thousand persons were taken from the
ruins. injured and uninjured. of which number
! one thousand were saved by the Russians anC
one thousand by the English sailors. The Ital
| ian navy has sent six hundred tons OF provisions
! TO the affected district. All the treasure founC
has been placed aboard the warships. ON,
pocketbook picked up containing $i4 900
| and much clothing has been found at Messlna
| and elsewhere with banknotes sewed in IL. Ad-
| vices from Messina say that twenty iooters weT,
| shot there yesterday. Fourteen thousand per.
| sons have left there.