Premier Giolitti, in speaking of the American people’s generosity, said: “What the United States has done on this occasion is magnificent, and shall not be forgotten. The United States stands first, outdistancing all others in sympathy and generosity. “Our gratitude is so great that we cannot find words in which to express it. Besides, appreciation on our part is heightened by the fact that so many of our compatriots have found hospitality in America. “With us it is traditional to consider Americans, who visit Italy in such great numbers, as our best friends, since we love their country and their race, because of its liberal organization and its progressive principles.” Signor Tittoni, the foreign minister, said: “Never before on any occasion has occurred such a demonstration of sympathy as that of America. It includes all classes and conditions from the President to the humblest citizen. Nothing could more tightly bind together the two countries or render their friendship closer.” SOLIDARITY OF RED CROSS SOCIETIES. In a letter of February 2nd to the Central Committee of the American Red Cross from M. Ador, Vice-President of the International Red Cross Committee of Geneva, he says: “The large contributions received by you for the victims of the earthquake in Sicily and Calabria are a splendid testimony of your benevolent activity and the solidarity which unites our Societies of the Red Cross in times of peace as in times of war.” THE POPE’S BLESSING AND THANKS. The following is a copy of a newspaper clipping relative to the disbanding of the American Relief Committee, at a meeting of which Mr. Samuel L. Parrish stated that the Pope had bestowed his blessing upon the American Society: RELIEF COMMITTEE DISBANDS. At 4 o’clock this afternoon there was a strong shock at Reggio. Shocks are still occurring at Reggio and Messina. The American relief committee, which was organized for the purpose of directing the American charities in connection with the earthquake sufferers, has been dissolved. The Italian authorities have now everything well in hand. In cash alone the relief committee on the steamer _Bayern_ distributed $30,000. The vast supply of provisions on board the steamer proved all too small for the innumerable calls made upon the relief party’s resources, but the distribution was made as widespread as possible. During the sitting of the committee today Samuel L. Parrish informed the other members that he had been received in private audience by the Pope, who said that he admired especially the exemplary generosity of the American Red Cross, and wished to have these sentiments conveyed to that noble institution. Mr. Parrish also said that, wishing to satisfy the desire of the Pope, he had written President-elect Taft, the President of the American Red Cross Society, reporting the result of the audience, and adding: