The herald., 1897-01-08
PALMA CALLS HIM A FAKE
Aud Says Cuba Has No Agent Named
Nelson
The Colonel Claims to Hold Commission Ia
the Cuban Army
And Only Five or Six Weeks Ago was
Fighting With Maceo-RecruitsD DIS
patched-More to Follow.

w
discredit Colonel Francis Nelson, whose
strange mission to Los Angeles has al
ready been exploited in the press of Cal
ifornia, certain facts came to the knowl-
edge of The Herald yesterday that de-
manded an investigation of Colonel Mel
sons good faith.
The colonel arrived in this city few
weeks ago, and the following adver-
tisement promptly attracted some at
tention and comment:
wANTED-100 MEN TO GO TO FLORIDA
to work in the mines; ex-soldiers or sail
ors of the Y. S. Army preferred; - Ad1ress 11,F Is
ST., Los Angeles.
The above for the last few days has
been supplanted by the following no.
tice:
wANTED-THE MINERS ALREADY
engaged for the Florida expedition to
cali on COL. NELSON, 1111a w. Third st.
Amongst the number of young men,
Cuban sympathizers, adventurous spir-
its and young bloods looking for glory,
were a dozen or so Pasadena lads, who
seemed to have grown somewhat suspi-
cious of Colonel Nelson's overtures.
The Colonel offered them free trans
portation to Key West, Fla, save only
a deposit of SIS.
A cautious young man from Pasadena
determined to wire to General Palma,
the president of the junta, who has head
quarters in New York
The following reply was yesterday re-
c.lved.
NEW YORK, Jan. Z.
Gal
NO agent named Nelson. Fake.
In view Of General Palma's brief but
exact dispatch, those young men from
Pasadena have decided not to start for
Cuba just yet.
RECRUITING TACTICS
Colonel Nelson was visited at his
headquarters at 1111a West Third street
last night by Herald reporter, who
came to seek information regarding the
proposed Cuban expedition. The re-
porter explained that he had received
tip and had come to inquire about the
chances for a job with the party that
was going to Florida. he was given a
keen look by the colonel, and asked If
he wasn't "on."
The visitor pleaded ignorance and
asked for an explanation.
well, you see, our ultimate object
Is Cuba, of course began Colonel Nell
son, "but then I can't explain that to
you. I advertise SO that everyone will
know what l mean. The laws of this
country are very strict regarding the
leading of an expedition to the aid of
a country whose belligerency has not
been recognized, so we have to be very
careful not to run foul of the law. l
simply engage men to go to Key West,
Florida, but then you understand that
1t will be all right. l am now organic
ing party of fifty to leave some time
between the 18th and Goth of this month.
l expect to accompany the expedition
myself. About thirty-five have already
enlisted, and the roll will be complete
by Friday night. OF course l am very
careful whom select for this expedi-
ton. Out oe nearly 600 applicants /
have chosen only thirty-five"
What are the conditions of enlist
ment, colonel?" asked the reporter
You must take the OATH and YOU
will have to pay SIS down as sort OF
guarantee Of good faith. This is to ap-
ply on your expenses to Key West.
Your railroad ticket there will cost
$625O, but then we will look after that"
What is the nature of the oath we
must take?"
Il cannot tell you that yet but you SIM
ply pledge yourself to stand by what
1t Is understood you are undertaking"
what sort of an arrangement has
Deen made for transporting us from
Key West to Cuba?"
Il can't answer that question. because
you know l have to be very careful
what l say, but l guarantee that YOU
Will nave plenty to eat and it will be
all right The usual method is to camp
day or two at Key West and then 60
out some evening for boat ride, and
the next morning you find yourself in
Cuba; that's all'
Il have already sent several parties
tnere, continued the colonel. but this
time l am going along myself. We will.
OF course, have good time, and be able
TO DO a good stroke for ourselves at the
same time Cuba is the only place for
q young man to get start"
Then Colonel Nelson launched into a
glowing account of the opportunities
0nered to young Americans in Cuba.
he explained that in case Cuba secured
her freedom it had been arranged that
he was to be minister to one of the
great powers, and that he should be
well rewarded for his services He fur
tner state that those who helped to free
Cuba would not have cause to regret n
as soon as the island was able to es-
tablish her independence
NOT ACCREDITED
The colonel was later in the evening
visited by a second representative of
The Herald, who explained who he was
and did not pretend to have any desire
to enlist under the Nelsonian banner for
Cuba.
Col. Nelson was very suave and cour-
teous, but his equanimity was somewhat
disturbed when he learned of Palma's
deliberate telegram.
Col. Nelson at once disclaimed being
an accredited agent of the Cuban GOV
ernment He said: There is only ono
accredited representative Of Cuba in this
country, and that is Palma
Does not Palma know you?" asked
the reporter.
He does, perfectly WELL"
How do you account for such a tele-
gram then?"
Il cannot, at ALL"
do YOU hold a commission In the Or,