Policy of the American Committee.
The American Committee had occupied a delicate position in the midst of a group of active Italian relief agencies. It was necessary to avoid giving offense to any, as well as to keep out of the special fields of work in which the Italian agencies were occupied. So well did the Committee conduct its operations that I heard of no instance of dissatisfaction or criticism of its efforts. The Committee took no step until it had consulted the men in charge of the Italian relief work. It either appropriated specific sums of money for the use of other of the most efficient Italian organizations or it carefully selected relief tasks which had not been undertaken by others. In fact the American Committee had gained the enviable reputation of having ready cash instantly available for any important piece of work for which cash from other sources was not immediately to be had.
U. S. Supply Ship “Celtic.” Anchored in Messina Harbor.
After a few days in Rome I went to Messina, where I arrived in the early morning. As we drew into the land-locked harbor heavy clouds obscured the surrounding mountains and a driving rain swept the desolate ruins which were spread out before us. White as snow at her anchorage swung the United States supply ship Celtic with her flag floating high above the shattered quay and the heaps of debris which clogged the crescent-shaped water front. On board the Celtic Captain Harry P. Huse, in command, gave me a cordial welcome and immediately solved for me the problem of a place to sleep and eat. Captain Huse had distributed his cargo and surrendered most of his subordinate officers and crew for shore duty. Big and energetic, he himself paced the long decks of the Celtic somewhat restively because of his own enforced idleness.
With headquarters also upon the Celtic was Lieutenant Commander R. R. Belknap, Naval Attachè of the American Embassy at Rome, but now in full charge of the work of constructing the American cottages in the earthquake district. Captain Belknap is clear headed, tireless, executive to his finger tips, and a most courteous and considerate gentleman to meet. He had his hands full with clearing and laying off the land upon which American houses were to be built in Messina and Reggio and the organization of his working force consisting of half a dozen young American naval officers, about thirty American jackies and several hundred native mechanics and laborers. The first of the ships bearing lumber from America was expected in a day or two and arrangements for unloading the lumber upon lighters, transferring it thence to the dock, then loading it upon ox-carts and hauling it by circuitous ways through the ruins to the sites where it was to be used, demanded much attention. The revising of plans for the houses to adapt them to the Italian needs, the making of itemized estimates of cost and the letting of certain contracts also required time and much knowledge of local conditions. Captain Belknap usually worked a couple of hours before breakfast and the light in his cabin was the last to be extinguished at night.
A few days later when the first American ship anchored in the harbor, with lumber for five hundred American houses on board, a new activity began. Teams of great red oxen with horns of tremendous reach, each team attached to a massive two-wheeled cart, blocked the water front while a crowd of noisy, hustling Italian laborers, like ants about an ant hill, carried the lumber piece by piece and stacked it high upon the creaking vehicles. Processions of loaded carts moved sinuously among the ruins, each driver guiding his oxen by ropes attached to their horns and by means of mournful cries which the animals seemed to understand.
Impressions of Messina.
Ruins of Messina, Showing Method of Opening Street.