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.