THE POPE’S BLESSING AND THANKS.
The following is a copy of a newspaper clipping relative to the disbanding of the American Relief Committee, at a meeting of which Mr. Samuel L. Parrish stated that the Pope had bestowed his blessing upon the American Society:
RELIEF COMMITTEE DISBANDS.
At 4 o’clock this afternoon there was a strong shock at Reggio. Shocks are still occurring at Reggio and Messina.
The American relief committee, which was organized for the purpose of directing the American charities in connection with the earthquake sufferers, has been dissolved. The Italian authorities have now everything well in hand.
In cash alone the relief committee on the steamer Bayern distributed $30,000. The vast supply of provisions on board the steamer proved all too small for the innumerable calls made upon the relief party’s resources, but the distribution was made as widespread as possible.
During the sitting of the committee today Samuel L. Parrish informed the other members that he had been received in private audience by the Pope, who said that he admired especially the exemplary generosity of the American Red Cross, and wished to have these sentiments conveyed to that noble institution.
Mr. Parrish also said that, wishing to satisfy the desire of the Pope, he had written President-elect Taft, the President of the American Red Cross Society, reporting the result of the audience, and adding:
“The Pope gave his blessing to the American Red Cross, expressing his gratitude and high appreciation of the work of that association.”
Mr. Parrish’s letter to the President follows:
Rome, January 15, 1909.
Hotel d’Europe.
HONORABLE WILLIAM H. TAFT,
President Red Cross,
Washington, D. C.
My Dear Mr. Taft:
I was this morning received in audience by the Pope, to whom my sponsor, Monsignor Ugolini, explained in succinct form the generous activity of the American Red Cross in connection with the sufferers in the recent earthquake in Calabria and Sicily. The Pope then gave his blessing to the American Red Cross, and while expressing his gratitude and high appreciation of the work of the Association, desired that his benediction might be known to its members. In seeking to fulfill this request, I know of no better method than to thus simply state the fact to you.
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) SAMUEL L. PARRISH.