15

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

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 Honorable 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.

President Poincaré Regrets Loss

King George received the following telegram from Raymond Poincaré, president of the French Republic:

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.

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 a thousand of them perished.

“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 today.”

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 30, announced that it would forward to the proper authorities any contributions sent by Americans.