province the rice crop has yielded only 12 per cent. of the average, and the sentence of death hangs over a quarter of a million of people if forgotten and unaided. In the eastern portion of another province the yield is only 15 per cent. and three hundred thousand people are in great distress and on the verge of absolute starvation, and in a third province it is certain that over one hundred thousand persons can not live without speedy and prolonged aid.

"During the late war, the great European Red Cross Societies did much to aid the Japanese Red Cross in its work of caring for the sick and wounded, but our American Red Cross, just beginning its reorganization could be of no assistance. Now the opportunity arises for us to send to these brave famine-stricken people some assistance from our abundance. The American National Red Cross will gladly receive and forward to the Japanese Red Cross, to be used for the relief of these famine-stricken provinces, such contributions as the public at large or any of its members desire to make. The conditions in Japan, as shown by both letters and newspaper reports are too terrible and too pitiful to make an appeal to our American people prove in vain.

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"All contributions can be sent to Jacob H. Schiff, Treasurer New York State Branch American-National Red Cross, No. 500 Fifth avenue, New York City.".

FRANK W. HIGGINS

CONCERNING THE SAN FRANCISCO DISASTER

STATE OF NEW YORK

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK:

Albany

Calamity unprecedented has fallen upon the State of California. The city of San Francisco, but yesterday the ninth city in point of population in the United States, has been practically destroyed. It is reported that about 200,000 people are homeless. The news of this disaster brings a prompt and spontaneous desire to the hearts of our citizens to aid in the relief of the thousands who must, temporarily, at least, accept the assistance of their fellowmen.

I urge upon you to give prompt effect to your generous feelings by sending without delay such subscriptions as you may desire to make, remembering that he gives twice who gives quickly.

The American National Red Cross, of which the Secretary of War, the Honorable William H. Taft, is the President, through Mr. Jacob H. Schiff, 500 Fifth avenue, New York City, who is the Treasurer of the New York Branch; or through Mr. Charles Hallam Keep, the Treasurer of the National Association at Washington, D. C., will receive contributions of money, which will be telegraphed to the local Red Cross branch in San Francisco as it is received. The Red Cross has the advantage of being a powerful and permanent organization for the relief of the sick and wounded on the battle field, the famine stricken and the afflicted throughout the world, and I recommend it as a thoroughly reliable

and well-organized agency for the transmission and distribution of relief funds.

Given under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the city of Albany this nineteenth [L. S.] day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and six.

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK:

Albany

Following close upon the calamity which devastated San Francisco has come similar woe and want to our South American neighbors in Chile.

While the full extent of loss in life and property at Valparaiso is not known yet, there is need of prompt and effective aid. In this emergency I call upon the generous people of the Empire State to furnish such aid as they can to the stricken inhabitants of Chile.

These contributions may be made through the American National Red Cross, of which the Secretary of War, the Hon. William H. Taft, is President. Mr. Jacob H. Schiff, No. 500 Fifth avenue, New York City, is Treasurer of the New

York Branch, and checks sent through this agency should be made to Mr. Schiff as treasurer.

Given under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the city of Albany this twenty[L. S.] eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and six.

It is always a good thing to give thanks and praise to the Almighty God for His great mercies to His people. More especially should we do so on those solemn days set apart by civil authority for rejoicing, on which we are enjoined to recall the blessings which His Providence has bestowed upon State and Nation and upon the inhabitants thereof during the past year, and in humility and gratitude to beseech a continuance of the same.

He has healed the sick and those who are broken in heart. He has preserved peace and order within our borders. To the husbandman He has brought forth in abundance the kindly fruits of the earth; to the merchant, the manufacturer and the laborer He has yielded a plenteous increase. Well may we rejoice with a glad spirit. Not only with our lips,

but in our lives and in our daily walk should we show forth His praise. If we obey not the voice of the Lord nor do what is lawful and right our thanksgiving cannot be acceptable unto Him.

I, Frank W. Higgins, Governor of the State of New York, in conformity to law and custom do hereby appoint as a day of general Thanksgiving the twenty-ninth day of November, 1906.

Done at the Capitol in the city of Albany this first day [L. S.] of November in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and six.

By the Governor :

FRANK W. HIGGINS

FRANK E. PERLEY

Secretary to the Governor