THE AMERICAN RED CROSS ORPHANAGE

Queen Helena.

Hundreds of little children were left fatherless and motherless amidst the ruins of Messina and Calabria. Scores of them were even too young to be able to give any information in regard to themselves or their families. For years these must be cared for, and having been left without property or relatives, must be so educated that, after reaching mature years, they will be able to support themselves. Helpless childhood appeals strongly to everyone, and the Red Cross, which after great calamities aims when the first temporary aid is over, to rehabilitate and place again upon their feet the victims of the disasters, was ready to accept the suggestion of the Italian Government that some of the funds entrusted to its administration by the American people should be devoted to the maintenance of an agricultural colony in Sicily or Calabria for the care of a hundred or more of the orphaned children. In national relief the American Red Cross does not permit the use of its emergency funds for the purpose of any permanent endowments, but in international relief it believes it wisest to act under the suggestion of the American diplomatic representative, the Government and relief committees in the country where the disaster occurs. Therefore, when Mr. Griscom, the Ambassador at Rome, after consulting with the Italian Government, asked that such an agricultural orphanage colony be maintained by a donation from the American Red Cross, the suggestion was promptly complied with. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars are to be devoted to this purpose.

REAR-AD. PRESLEY M. RIXEY
Copyright, Harris-Ewing, ’08.

The colony will be situated in Sicily or Calabria, and will consist of model farms, where scientific agricultural instructions will be given by agents of the Royal University of Agriculture. The Italian Government will furnish the land, and the Italian National Relief, under the patronage of Queen Helena will provide the buildings. It will be called “The American Red Cross Orphanage,” and the American Ambassador is to be an ex-officio member of its governing committee. It is to be a lay institution, and not ecclesiastical. A yearly budget of its expenses will be published, which must meet the approval of the Minister of the Interior, who at present is also the Prime Minister. A number of the poor women left widows and dependent by the earthquake, and who in many cases also lost their little children, will be given employment at this orphanage, and the care of other little children will help to lift this sorrow from their hearts. From these women the children will receive again much of that mother-love and care of which this terrible disaster has robbed them.

SURG.-GEN. WALTER WYMAN
Copyright, Harris-Ewing, ’08.

Speaking of this orphanage, Mr. Griscom writes on February 19 to the chairman of the Central Committee of the American Red Cross:

“I can assure you that this generous gift of the American Red Cross has made a profound impression in Italy. I made the formal presentation to Her Majesty, the Queen, on the 16th instant, and Her Majesty was overcome with emotion and for a moment at loss to express herself. Finally she made a beautiful speech and poured forth her admiration for the organization of the American Red Cross.”

Ambassador Griscom, under date of February 18, forwarded to the State Department for transmission to the American Red Cross two letters from the Countess Spaletti Rasponi, the President of the Patronato Regina Elena, and from the Honorable Bruno Chimirri, President of the “Comitato di Vigilanza,” respectively, expressing the gratitude of the Committee and Council of the Patronato Regina Elena for the gift of $250,000, for the establishment of the Orphanage. The letters referred to follow:

MAJ.-GEN. R. M. O’REILLY
Copyright, Harris-Ewing, ’08

“Excellency:

“The Council of the ‘Opera Nazionale di Patronato Regina Elena,’ having known of the conspicuous offer of 1,300,000 lire made by the American National Red Cross in favor of the children whom the recent earthquake has thrown into the condition of orphans, has passed a vote of thanks to the officers and to Your Excellency, to whose influential interest it is due if so important a part of the funds collected in America has been devoted to our institution.

“And I, interpreting the desire of the Council, warmly and specially beg Your Excellency to kindly transmit to the meritorious American Red Cross the expression of our profound and heartfelt gratitude toward all the noble and great American nation, not inferior to any other in all the manifestations of human genius and solidarity.

“With the assurances of my highest consideration,

“The President,
(Signed) “COUNTESS SPALETTI RASPONI.”

HON. ROBERT BACON
Copyright, Harris-Ewing, ’08

“Mr. Ambassador:

“I have the honor to offer you the warmest thanks of the Committee and Council of the ‘Opera Nazionale di Patronato Regina Elena’ for the generous offer which you have made on behalf of the Calabrian and Sicilian orphans.

“I beg you to be good enough to be interpreter of our very grateful sentiments to the American Red Cross, which has completed, with its splendid gift, its relief work in Calabria and Sicily.

“The Agricultural Colony, which will be named American Red Cross Orphanage,’ will perpetuate the remembrance of this charity, and will contribute to render continually more close the ancient ties of sympathy and friendship which unite Italy with your mighty Republic, ties which you called attention to in your brilliant speech on the occasion of the centenary of the great President Lincoln.

“Accept, Mr. Ambassador, the assurances of my high consideration.

(Signed) “B. CHIMIRRI.

“To His Excellency,
“Hon. Lloyd C. Griscom,
“Ambassador of the United States of America, Rome.”