The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-06-17

MADRID, June 16-The huge building
about To be finished in the Pasco de Reco-
letos. intended for the new national Ii
brary, is not to be used as library until
after the Columbus celebration. 1t Will
first be utilized for the art, literature and
science exhibitions to be held shortly to
commemorate the discovery of tie new
world. An entire floor of this large build
ing will be reserved exclusively for Ameri-
can exhibits. A special commission has
been appointed by the United States to
proceed TO Madrid.
Besides the most interesting contribu-
tions and cooperation of the SouthAmerl-
can republics, Mexico will send the treas
ures of her museums of antiquities. of art
and of science. She has voted 100000 to
cover expenses. Every nation OF Europe,
including Turkey, promises cooperation.
The pope promises to send everything IN
the Vatican relating to the discovery OF
the new world, including the celebrated
bull of Alexander VI, the Spanish pope,
who drew the lines of division of the pos
sessions beyond the seas of Spain and Por
tugal, Austria and France will send
their most interesting relics of art and
science.
The municipality voted ZOO, 900 pesetas
for the expense of the festivities to take
place during the months of the celebra-
tions. Most OF the cities of Spain will
celebrate the event by local festivities; but
the grandest display next to that of
Madrid is to be at Huelva. The convent
of La Ribida is being put back into the
primitive condition in which it was when
Columbus, in his humble pilgrim garb,
came TO its door and begged the monks to
give him glass Of water for his sick and
wayworn son. The restoration is so COM
plete that the Moorish marabout, about
whose remains the editice of modern con-
struction was arrested, is laid open to
view. The sixty meter column is progress
ing Well The new quay is finished, as is
also the road leading from it to the
convent, and the road from the convent to
the palace IS well advanced. Things are
now in such a state of progress that
visitors will have little Inconvenience in
the pilgrimage to these historical snotS.
BY Aug. the caravel Santa Maria - to
be ready and lying at anchor in the port OF
Palos. Foreign warships are also to be
there to fire salutes TO the Spanish flag. 1t
Is very curious coincidence that the pres
ent mayor of Huelva is of the same name
and lineal descendant Of the man who
was mayor of the place when Columbus
sailed forth to discover the New World.
The two small caravels Pinta and Nina. to
De built at the expense of the American
government, will he ready before October.
The authorities of the Canary Islands, re-
mlndlpg the centenary committee that
Columbus touched at their islands on his
way to discover the New World, request
that the three carnavals should also touch
at those islands on their way out to Amer
lea next year. The COMMITTEES has prom
ised that this shall be done.
"A petition has been drawn up and
signed by $1,000 inmates OF Spanish pris-
ons, begging the queen regent, the senate,
the chamber of deputies, the pope and the
United States ambassador TO have COM
passion on their lot and have an act of
clemency extended to them in memory of
columbus and of the discovery Of the New
World. 1t is very probable that some at
tentlon will be given to this petition.
Among the most interesting of the maps
to be shown, so far as America is con-
cerned, is that of Juan de la Cosa, pilot or
sailing master for Columbus, who went
out with the latter on his voyage of dis
covery and accompanied him home, and
again went out with him on his second
voyage in 1898. Fac SMILES of this map
are now being made by special permission
OF the Spanish government for distribution
IL the coming shows at Madrid.