A further sum of 10,000 lire was entrusted to Messrs. Kin and Bowdoin, both of them members of the American Red Cross, who undertook to arrange for the expenditure of this money for the relief of the small villages outside of Giardini and Taormina, between there and Messina, and to account for it to the American Red Cross through the American Ambassador.
In response to an appeal from Acireale, Mr. Gay made a personal visit among the relief workers there, after which some clothing and other supplies and 5,000 lire were delivered to them. To the Little Sisters of the Poor 1,000 lire were given for their immediate assistance. A few bundles of clothing were sent by rail to Messina, in care of Mr. Chanler, in response to a wireless message from the U. S. S. Yankton. There were several other cases acted on at Catania, as shown more in detail in the secretary’s report.
While lying at Catania, knowing that lumber was needed at Reggio, Mr. Flint was sent ashore on Wednesday morning to buy such quantity as we could get on board that day. Lighterage facilities were very scarce, as many steamers were in the harbor discharging; but by the persistent efforts of the German Vice-Consul, Mr. Jacob Peratoner, who very kindly devoted almost his entire day in our behalf, we succeeded in getting on board enough lumber to build 25 houses, 13 × 13 feet, complete with floors.
On Wednesday afternoon Madame Ferri, escorted by Marchese di San Juliano in his automobile, took Lieutenant-Commander Belknap, Dr. Scelba, Avvocato Giordana and Mr. Elliott on a tour of the hospitals and some of the refuges, in one of which alone 780 were then quartered. By this date, of course, sixteen days after the earthquake, all was in good order and organization as far as circumstances and available means would permit; to see so much suffering and misery, among people of all conditions of life formerly, was extremely affecting; but also it was impressive to note how much had been done for their needs and comfort, and particularly to mark the affectionate gratitude which these poor refugees demonstrated for their benefactress, who seemed to have become familiar with the details of nearly every case.
The Prefect and Admiral Gagliardi, after we had sailed the next morning, united in sending us a farewell message by wireless, as follows:
Signor Reginald Rowan Belknap,
On board Bayern, Reggio, Calabria.
With our hearts still vibrating with gratitude and admiration for the work of fraternal solidarity and beneficience accomplished by you, Mr. Commandant, together with your representatives of the American Red Cross, we again repeat to you all, in the name of the Province and the King’s Government, our heartfelt thanks. To all the gentlemen on board the Bayern we send good wishes and greetings.
PREFECT FERRI
GAGLIARDI.
To this the following reply was sent by telegraph to Prefect Ferri, and by letter to Admiral Gagliardi:
To Commendatore Ferri, Prefect of Catania, and Rear Admiral Gagliardi, Commanding the Second Division of the Naval Force of the Mediterranean: