ROME, ITALY, April 19, 1909. ILLUSTRIOUS SIR: In the never-to-be-forgotten calamity by which she was overcome Italy has found but one solace. It was to feel, to know, that the sorrow was universal, and that the heart of the world throbbed in unison with hers. Touching evidence of human solidarity came to us from every part of your glorious Republic, but every burst of charity was outdone by the Red Cross, over which you preside, sir, and which assisted her Italian sister with a supreme munificence of relief. May you find the medal and diploma we now send you as tokens of our gratitude, of which, however, they are but a modest outward sign, acceptable. More durably than in the metal is our gratefulness engraved in the hearts of the Italians, whose mindful blessings will stand as the sacred heritage of the generations to come. R. TAVERNA, _President, Italian Red Cross_. To the PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, _Washington, D. C._ WASHINGTON, D. C., June 22, 1909. SIR: I have received your courteous communication of April 19 last, with which you transmit a gold medal and diploma, presented by the Italian National Red Cross to the American National Red Cross, as testimonials of gratitude for the contributions furnished by the latter for the sufferers from the earthquakes in Calabria and Sicily. As President of the American National Red Cross it affords me great pleasure to accept these testimonials in behalf of the association, not only because of their beauty and intrinsic worth, but as tokens of the humanitarian spirit which joins the world in fraternal kinship in times of great distress. Not less valued that they are the sentiments of generous appreciation on the part of the Italian Red Cross, to which you give expression in your communication. I beg you to be so good as to convey to the Italian Red Cross the thanks and appreciation of the American Red Cross for their considerate action, and am, Very cordially, yours, WM. H. TAFT, _President, American National Red Cross_. COUNT R. TAVERNA, _President, Italian Red Cross_. _Translation of Inscription on Medal Received from the Italian Red Cross._ [Illustration] Inscription of the circle around the medal: To the well deserving of the Italian Red Cross. Inscription on medal: To the American National Red Cross: most generous cooperation in the relief of the sufferers of the earthquake in Calabria, Sicily, 1908. _Translation of Inscription on Diploma Received from the Italian Red Cross Society._ ITALIAN RED CROSS.