MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY AND HELP
NEARNESS OF THE EMPRESS OF IRELAND CATASTROPHE -- MESSAGE FROM THE
GOVERNOR-GENERAL -- GRIEF IN ENGLAND -- LORD MAYOR OF LONDON
STARTS FUND -- SYMPATHY EXTENDED BY KING AND QUEEN -- PRESIDENT
POINCARÉ REGRETS LOSS -- THE UNITED STATES SYMPATHIZES -- AMERICAN
RED CROSS ACTS -- TANGIBLE SYMPATHY
"WHAT we do not see does not hurt us." We can endure a Balkan war or a
Calabrian earthquake or a Kieff massacre with composure because the
black print on white paper does not bring it alive before us. We have
to be taken to the scene to realize it, and even then, unless we are
trained observers, we stand with dull wits, not comprehending the full
meaning.
Yet so far as we can we seek to picture the calamities that happen
even in the most distant parts of the world, and to express our
sympathy for those who are in trouble. In the case of the sinking of
the Empress of Ireland, which the president of the Canadian Pacific
Railway describes as "the most serious catastrophe in the history of
the St. Lawrence route," the task is not so difficult because the
scene of the disaster is comparatively near, and because, perhaps,
some of the unhappy passengers were known to us. Canada, England, the
United States--these were the countries most deeply affected and the
first to extend sympathy and offers of assistance.
MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL
The following message was sent Friday night by H. R. H. the Duke of
Connaught, Governor-General of Canada, to Right Hon. R. L. Borden,
Prime Minister:
"On behalf of the Duchess and myself, I desire to express to you our
deep grief at the terrible disaster to the Empress of Ireland, and our
heartfelt sympathy with the families of those who have perished."
GRIEF IN ENGLAND
The British public, which went home Friday night believing that the
greater part of the passengers on board the Empress of Ireland had
survived the disaster in the St. Lawrence, was greatly shocked
Saturday when it was learned that the loss of life had reached one
thousand, and that many of the victims were from the United Kingdom.
King George early in the morning sent a messenger to the European
manager of the Canadian Pacific Railway expressing his sorrow at the
disaster and the great loss of life.
LORD MAYOR OF LONDON STARTS FUND
The Lord Mayor of London, upon learning of the extent of the disaster,
decided to open a fund toward the relief of the widows and orphans as
well as the dependents of those of the passengers and crew who had
been lost. The King donated $2,500; the Queen, $1,250; the Prince of
Wales, $1,250, and the Queen Mother Alexandra, $1,000. The Mansion
House Fund was also turned to the aid of the sufferers, and a
Liverpool Relief Fund started.
SYMPATHY EXTENDED BY KING AND QUEEN
King George cabled to the Duke of Connaught, Governor-General of
Canada, as follows:
"I am deeply grieved over the awful disaster to the Empress of Ireland
in which so many Canadians lost their lives. Queen Mary and I both
assure you of our heartfelt sympathy with those who mourn for the loss
of relatives and friends."
To Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway,
His Majesty cabled:
"In the appalling disaster which has befallen your company by the loss
of the Empress of Ireland, in which so many perished, I offer you my
sincere sympathy."
The Irish Nationalist Convention at a meeting in London under the
presidency of T. P. O'Connor, passed a resolution of sympathy with the
relatives and friends of those who died when the Empress of Ireland
sank and it was transmitted to Sir Thomas Shaughnessy.
[Illustration: THE MAIN DINING SALOON
An example of the spaciousness and luxury of the "Empress of
Ireland." The late supper served in this saloon had been ended but
a short time when the disaster occurred.]
[Illustration: ONE OF THE LUXURIOUS CABINS
It was from such scenes of comfort that the passengers of the
ill-fated ship were hurried to a scene of death and despair in
which more than half of them perished.]
PRESIDENT POINCARÉ REGRETS LOSS
King George received the following telegram from Raymond Poincaré,
President of the French Republic:
"It is with profound emotion that I learn of the terrible catastrophe
in connection with the Empress of Ireland which will plunge so many
families into mourning. From my heart I tender to Your Majesty the
sincere regrets and keen sympathy of the French people."
THE UNITED STATES SYMPATHIZES
President Wilson also sent a message of condolence to King George.
"I beg of Your Majesty," the President cabled, "to accept my deepest
sympathy in the appalling catastrophe to the steamship Empress of
Ireland which has brought bereavement to so many English homes."
Secretary Bryan instructed Ambassador Page in London to call at the
British Foreign Office and express the United States Government's
condolences and his own.
The Transatlantic Society of America through its Secretary, E. Waring
Wilson, cabled the United States Ambassador in London, requesting him
to transmit to King George a message of sympathy for the loss of life
in the disaster to the Empress of Ireland. Condolences were also wired
to the Governor-General of Canada at Ottawa.
President McAneny, of the Board of Aldermen of New York City, who had
just returned from a conference on city planning in Toronto, sent the
following telegram to the Duke of Connaught regarding the loss in the
sea disaster:
"On behalf of those Americans who have just returned from the City
Planning Conference at Toronto, and to whom the hospitality of Canada
had so generously been given, I extend deepest sympathy to you and to
the Canadian people upon your tragic loss of to-day."
Mayor Mitchel also forwarded his sympathy:
"The city of New York sends sincere sympathy to the people of Canada
who have suffered through the tragedy on the Gulf of St. Lawrence."
AMERICAN RED CROSS ACTS
While aid was not asked by Canadian and British organizations in
behalf of survivors of the steamship Empress of Ireland and those
dependent upon victims of the disaster, the American National Red
Cross Society on Saturday, May 30th, announced that it would forward
to the proper authorities any contributions sent by Americans.
TANGIBLE SYMPATHY
From far and wide, in fact, warm messages of sympathy and offers of
assistance were sent. The cities of Canada came valiantly to the
rescue, councils and individuals appropriating money for the relief of
both victims and bereaved. For instance, Acting Mayor McCarthy
immediately asked the Social Service Commission to prepare a list of
the relatives of all Torontonians lost in the wreck, and to estimate
the amount of money that would suffice for their adequate relief. The
procedure was then to establish a public fund in the city, one-half
being contributed by grant of the council, and the other half by
citizens.
Arrangements were made by the city to meet all Toronto survivors of
the disaster upon their arrival at the Union Station, and, wherever
necessary, to provide them with outfits of clothing.
Thus in one way and another the friendly hand of help was offered to
both survivors and bereaved.