(Seal) SHOZO YENDO,
Village Magistrate.
THE VESUVIAN RELIEF FUND
The reports contained in the press of the suffering, and privation caused by the eruption of Vesuvius determined the Executive Committee of the Red Cross to issue an appeal to the public for the unfortunate victims of this calamity. Therefore, on April 12th the Secretary of the National Red Cross sent to all the Secretaries of the State Branches the following telegram:
“Please announce in press Red Cross will forward contributions to Italian Red Cross for Vesuvian disaster. Name local Treasurer.”
The work of securing contributions for this purpose had only just begun when there occurred the great calamity caused by earthquake and fire in California so that all the energies of the American people were turned to render aid to their unfortunate countrymen at home, and thus only a small amount was secured to be forwarded to the Italian Red Cross for the relief of the Vesuvian victims.
The Secretary and Treasurer of the Berkshire Division of the Massachusetts Red Cross Branch received the following letter from Italians resident in Pittsfield:
Pittsfield, Mass., April 30, 1906.
Dr. Alfreda B. Withington,
Madam:—Enclosed you will find check for $80.75 in behalf of the suffering Italians who are victims of the Mt. Vesuvius eruption. We all have the best of respect for the American Red Cross Society, and have only thanks to offer you as their treasurer of the Berkshire Division for the interest this division has thankfully offered their aid to our people. If this collection had been made when all were working the cash amount would have been larger, but under the fact that all laborers have not been employed during the winter, they responded to the call for aid the best they could. Your committee wishes to thank you personally for your efforts for suffering humanity.