Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-23
SCIENTISTS TOLD OF CUBA
Dr. Wolford Nelsep's Words to the Associa-
ton for Advancement
''Tbe Cuba Libre of the Blacks Would
Be veritasle Il En- on Earth,v
He Stated.


BOSTON, August 23.1The American As
ISOLATION for the Advancement of Science
today. the second days session of their
flftieth anniversary meeting, listened to
Dr. Wolford Nelson of New York Dr.
Nelson is a fellow of the Royal Geograph-
ical Society of Great Britain, who passed
many years in the tropics, including six
months in Cuba.
DR.. Nelson first gave q geographical de-
scripticn of Cuba, and, continuing said
that when the island was discovered by
Columbus the natives dwelt in peace and
contentment They had very simple re-
ligion, including belief in the Great and
Good Being. They also believed in the
immortality of the soul
The Island of Cuba has had many Names
The first given it by the discoveries was
Juana, so named after Prince Juana son
of Ferdinand and Isabella Later. follow
ing the death of King Ferdinand it was
called Fernandina. Its third name was
Santiago, or st. James, Santiago being
Spains patron saint. Later, the patron
saint was displaced, when it's fourth name
was Ave Maria, after the Virgin Mary
Finally it was called Cuba. AS such it
vas known by its Inhabitants at the time
of the discovery of Cuba, pronounced
Cuebah, by the Spanish
DR.. Nelson mentioned the settlement of
Baracoa, Santiago de Cuba Trinidad and
Havana early in the sixteenth century and
said rush methods were then unknown
'Manana'' was in vogue then as well as
now.
Turning to Cuba of the present he said
nearly one-half of the area remains almost
virgin forests. He referred to her wonder
full woods. including splendid mahogany,
hard cedar, ceiba and ebony, and declared
that the coastal and mountain forests of
Cuba are new Klondikes. Money and energy
will work magical changes in the queen Of
the Antilles.
He also spoke of the mines and minerals
of the island, especially in the province of
Santiago de Cuba-the largest province
That district, he said, grows the finest
sugar cane. The rich soil varies in depth
from ten to fifteen feet. Fertilizers are
unknown. The cane pieces have produced
crop after crop for fifteen and twenty years
without any general replanting. Cane can
be cut in the morning under modern
methods and its sugar may be had at
night, bagged and ready for shipping
Considering the Cuba of the future, Dr.
Nelson pointed out that the last census of
the island, taken in 1887, showed a popuia-
ton of 1,111,303 whites, and go, 916 colored
people
ports and imports, which, he said, he trust
ed would be interesting to students of
economies, when Cuba's small population
and the fact that only one-third of the
Oh CT VI tHc is cultivated Is con-
sidered. If necessary, he added, Cuba can
multiply her products five to ten-fo1d
In conclusion Dr. Nelson said:
when the lawful land-owning interests in
Cuba VOTE no doubt itIwill be for an indie
pendent Cuba under an American protecto-
rate. If the Marquis dde Montoro, Senior
Galvez and men rof that highly educated
end influential type, men who are leaders
OF the autonomists; if they could put their
advanced views in force it would be an
ideal arrangement, and all would be we'll.
The Cuba libre Of the blacks would be
veritab1e he'll upon earth, a blot upon
Christian civilization.
Cuba, the fair and fertile. to take her
place In the family of nations, must have
law, order and peace guaranteed by the
United States.
Knowing that island as do fear that
an independent Cuba viii be an mpossi-
tility AS an American colony she will
blossom and bring forth her Increase
Then, and then only, Will the black plague
of central and eastern Cuba cease to be a
nightmare. 1t is a question of time Cuba
will be the brightest spot in the colonial
possessions of the United States. Old con-
ditions have passed away. This great and
glorious republic must face her destiny"