THE ITALIAN EARTHQUAKE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9338, 6 January 1909, Page 5

THE ITALIAN EARTHQUAKE.

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. New York, January 5.

President Roosevelt’s special message to the Congress declared that the proposed releif was prompted by obligation of humanity, taking into consideration the fact that many good American citizens were formerly Italian immigrants. Besides half agmillion dollars both Houses voted another 300,000, representing ..the steamers Celtic and Oulgoa’s supplies. London, January 5.

Renter’s Washington correspondent reports that the first division of Admiral Sperry’s fleet has been ordered to Naples to assist in the work of relief. No other Italian ports will be visited. The American Red Cross Society telegraphed 390,000 dollars. "The American Committee at Rome chartered a steamer to take supplies and to fetch back survivors. The Mansion House Fund now totals £40,000.

Rome, January 5. Some of the people were rescued alive in the ruins at Reggio yesterday. NEW SOUTH WALES FUND. Received January 6, 8.53 a.m. Sydney, January 6.

The State Goverment will i cable £SOO to the Italiau earthquake fund. The Lord Mayor presided at a meeting in the Town Hall, to inaugurate a public fund and £875 was subscribed. FRANTIC SCENES. New York, January 6. Frantic scenes occurred at New York among 300 Calabrians and Sicilians before landing on learning firstly of the disaster. HUMANITY BEFORE RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES. Rome, January 6. At the instance of Nathan, Jewish Mayor of Rome, the Vatican gladly received a batch of suffering survivors at the hospital outside the Pope’s territory. He passed over the archway to the hospital and comforted them. Nathan visited the hospital later and exchanged cordial greetings with Cardinal Merry del Val. • THE KING’S THANKS. King Edward telegraphed to the Fleet his high appreciation and approbation of the energy and gallantry displayed in dealing with the disaster. MESSINA TO BE REBUILT. Received January 6, 11.40 a.m. Rome, January 5. King Emmanuel and the Governmentpave determined that Messina be rebuilt. Government aie lending money on very favourable terms and expect to raise 180 million lire for the purpose by increasing the taxes on land and income. Messina will be exempted from property tax for [a quarter of a century. BRITISH BATTLESHIP’S EXPERIENCE. After a sharp shock at 'Messina yesterday the British battleship Exmouth got caught in a current and snapped her anchor chains. She drifted two miles before control was recovered. A FAMILY’S ESCAPE. An entire family were released at Messina yesterday almost uninjured, though many ruins are being flooded with carbolic acid to overcome the stench. NEW ZEALAND CONTRIBUTION. Per Press Association. Wellington, January 5. 5 The Government has sent five thousand pounds to Italy as a contribution to the fund Jfor the relief of sufferers by the recent earthquake. In an interview with'a INew'lZealand Times reporter, the Prime Minister said that any funds collected by private effort will, on application being made to the Government, be remitted free to the authorities in Italy. , Dunedin, January 6. At a meeting held this afternon, presided over by Jthe Mayor, it was decided to hold an entertainment on the 13th inst., in aid of the relief fund for the sufferers by the earthquake.