Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-06
G lU M B IAN RELICS
State Department Would Like to Return
Borrowed Goods.
NO Vessel, However. Available 10 sena
Exhibits Back 10 Europe-The
Vatican Anxious.

The State Department Is in a serious d.
lemma In regard 20 the Columbian relics
borrowed In Spain and Italy for exhibition
at the worlds fair at Chicago last year.
They are numerous and extremely valua-
BILE being original documents relating 10
the fitting out Of the expedition which re.
suited in the discovery OF the new world
They were borrowed by the President, un-
der the authority OF a resolution Of Con-
eiess. with the express agreement. signed
by the Secretary Of State. that they would
be kept continually under military protec-
ton while in this country, ard that they
would be returned on a man-of-war at the
close Of the exposition.
The agreement has been carried out so
far as their safe keeping is concerned but,
although the exposition closed nearly a
year ago, no practical steps have as yet
been taken for their Ietura. At the close of
the exposition IN October last shese relics
were brought TO Washington and carefully
stored In places OF security in the State
Department The principal ones We're
placed in vaults, but the others were al
lowed to remain In corridors and Office
rooms. They are sun there. with no pros
poets Of being disturbed IN the near future.
Notwithstanding the Secretary OF State has
bsen repeatedly requested in the most Do
Lite diplomatic language 10 expedite their
return.
Included in these relics are forty-six orig
inal papers exhibited by the Duke OF Vera
qua. Columbus lineal descendant. at the
Convent of La Rabida at the Chicago
position. Among these are autograph let
tiers OF Columbus. the commission given
him b. Ferdinand and isabella before he
started on ms n .Inorable voyage. and the
royal orders relating to the equipment and
PREPARATION Of the vessels Of his feet
The principal anxiety, however, is shown
in regard TO the Columbian souvenirs which
were lent TO the United States government
for exhibition at the fair BY his holiness the
pope. These were brought 10 the United
States on a man-of-war sent 20 Italy for
that express purpC Sc. Their transportation
In this manner Was due 70 fear that IL
might not be safe to bring them over on the
regular steamships. They are priceless
relics. and were never before allowed TO
leave the Vatican They are original rec
ords OF the prominent part taken by the
Church CT Rome iI events associated with
the discovery and early history OF the Unit
ed STATES. Archbishop Ireland OF St Paul.
DR.. O'Gormsn. secretary Of Mgr. Sstolh.
and Mr.. William j. OnaEan of Chicago
have called on Secretary Gresham at vari-
Gus times in regard to the return OF these
sacred articles. and were informed that the
matter woul1 receive due attention. Last
week Secretary Gresham received a letter
from Archbishop Ireland, reminding him
that the Vatican was extremely anxious to
have the exhibits returned as 5000 as possi-
HE. by the same safe method OF conveyance
az was employed in bringing them to the
United States. Secretary Gresham had a
WIN secretary f1trDcrl on me
subject, and was informed that IL would he
at least two or three months yet before any
vessel Of the navy would BE- available for
the service Indicated. Secretary Herbert
promised, however, that he would Use his
best endeavors TO expedite the preparation
OF a warSnip for the use of the State De-
partment I'm this natter The navy is par
ticularly short Of vessels on the home sta
tion at present. the only two that are in
sood condition for a long voyage being on
outy at Bluefielis. Nicaragua These ere
the Columbia and the Marbiehea6- The use
Of the flagship New York fer this service is
cut OF the question. and the only other two
vessels on this station. The San Francisco
and Atlanta. are partially disabled as to
their machinery. snc will require important
repairs before going on an extended cruise
The authorities are very much embarrassed
at the situation. especially as IL was thought
necessary to remind them of their obliga-
tions in the premises. and IL IS a safe pre-
dictfon that they will send the Spanish and
italian exhibits back at the earliest oppor-
tunity. and that the Navy Department will
permit no further delay IN the preparation
OF vessel for that purpose.