PALERMO.
Arriving at Messina about 8.30, we found another telegram from the Consul at Palermo. After visiting the Illinois again, we sailed for Palermo at 10.30 P. M.
We arrived at Palermo about 9.30 Saturday morning. The captain of the port sent an officer on board the Bayern with the following message:
The captain of the port thanks Captain Belknap for the sentiments of brotherhood and humanity which have brought him here, to give aid to those who have just escaped from the disastrous earthquake.
The American Consul, Mr. Bishop, then took the Committee, Lieutenant-Commander Belknap, Mr. Hooper, Mr. Gay, Vice-Consul Cutting, Avvocato Giordana and Mr. Flint to call upon the Prefect, with whom we found the Commissario Regio. Our remaining resources were placed at the disposal of the authorities, who accepted them with warm thanks and appreciation of our coming to Palermo with assistance. From the prefectura we were then escorted to the municipal palace by the Commissario Regio, Commandatore Avvocato Gennaro Bladier, who conducted us to his reception-room, where the necessary arrangements were made for the transfer of our remaining supplies. He took steps to have our discharging expedited so that our intended sailing that evening might not be delayed.
We delivered at Palermo 1,200 mattresses and about 7,000 rations, leaving nothing remaining on board that could be disposed of; also 20,000 lire to the Municipal Committee and 10,000 for distribution by the American Consul.
In the afternoon, the Commissario Regio came on board, to return our visit and inspect our ship, bringing the following letter, to which I replied orally, stating that I would have the honor to bring it to the attention of the American Ambassador:
Cabinet of the Commissario Regio,
City of Palermo, January 15, 1909.
In the name of the city of the Committee I have the honor to represent, I accomplish the duty, heartfelt, of expressing to you a great many thanks for your generous offer of 20,000 lire and of food and mattresses, made through you by the American Ambassador for the benefit of the unfortunate refugees.
Messina, Sicily and Italy, in this tragic hour of disaster, feel an infinite sense of emotion before the universal spectacle of nobility and human kindness, before the common impulse that moves, in aid of so many sufferers from the reckless violence of nature, the generous, munificent souls of the world.
I beg, therefore, to ask you to be the bearer of our intense feeling to the illustrious American Ambassador, and to the American citizens, to whose magnanimous work will always be united the undying gratitude of this people.
Please accept, Illustrious Sir, on this solemn occasion, the highest expression of my consideration.
The Royal Commissioner,
BLADIER.
To Captain Reginald Rowan Belknap, Naval Attachè to the Embassy of the United States of America.