Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-10
CONNECTICUT SHIP
 ALL READY TO SAIL
Nearly $5o,ooo Has Been Contributed
 for Relief of Destitude 6elgians.

When Captain zarbis takes his ship. the Pontoporos, under charter to the commission for relief in Belgium, out of New York harbor and steans for Belgium today tMonday) he will have with him in spirit almost the entire population of Connecticut.
 The sailing of the Connecticut relief ship for Belgium has been several times delayed owing to weather condi- tions, but New York headquarters now report that her loading is practically completed and that she was scheduled to sail Saturday, Jan. 9th.
 Treasurer Russ reports that to date almost $49,000 has been received from all over the state, so that only $1,0o0 is needed to bring Ccnnecticut's cash total up to the $50, 900 mark. The committee still hopes to accomplish this result. since gifts arriving after the sailing of the ship will neverthe- less be credited to Connecticut, all though the goods purchased with the money. will of course have to be- sent by the next following ship.
 ,. Owing to adversitiess of weather and othem conditions, supplies for Belgium have fallen behind schedule, so that our ship swiH be doubly welcomed by the people of the unfortunate little nation overseas. Both the four and the cloth carried by her will be eager ly awaited The supply of the former is running dangerously low, while the treme that in many instances only one child in a family is able to attend school--the others having to remain home while the lucky one wears all the warm clothing of the family. By those who have been in the Belgian lowlands it.is said that no more penetrating cold is found anywhere. on the face of the earth. Much of the countryside is actually below the sea level and the piercing dampness is like that of an exposed cellar in zero weather.
 As to precautions taken to safeguard the Pontopores in crossing the war zone, MT. Giddings of the National c. R. B. writes:
 Our method of marking supply ships is such as to eliminate all possibilities side there is a large banner with the words Commission Relief Belgium, Rotterdam These side banners are thoroughly illuminated at night by bright lights and the marking can be plainly. seen at a great distance In addition there are other distinguishing 'emblems."
 Besides, the cargo is fully insured.
 Manchester and Waterbury continue to show the greatest activity among the communities of the state. Both have added substantially to their totals the past week. The 1OTQoT mas now passed the $2,500 mark. while the lat ter is close behind. More than 40 com- ,munities have given st0o or more apiece.
 The following are at present the first 15 towns of the state, as shown by the records of the state treasurer: Hartford, New Haven, Manchester, New London, Fairfield, Stamford, Mid dletown, Norwich, Pennington, Nor folk, East Hartford, Bridgeport, Yer non lfncluding Rockville), and New Britain.
 Torrington, Bristol. Derby, Enfield and -Simsbury are close behind. Wa terbury's total does not include nearly $4,000 collected and forwarded direct to New York just before the state committee was organized.
 Contributions may be forwarded di- rect to State Treasurer Charles c. Russ, at the Hartford Trust company, or to Gen. William A. Aiken of Nor wich.