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. [Illustration: 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.