Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-28
FORMS BRANCH IN CUBA
THE z. n. G. A. GIVEN HEARTY
WELCOME IN HAVANA.
Association Nucleus Of $50 Members,
With Prospect Of Increase
to 500.

In furtherance or policy OF expan.
sion, the international committee Of the
Young Mems Christian Association has
just established branch at Havana,
Cuba. Mr.. Lyman L. Pierce. general sec
rotary Of the local association, was se-
lected to perfect the organization at the
Cuban capital, and he returned to WASH
ington last week with a glowing report
Of the success which he thinks is insured
to the new enterprise. Mr. Pierce had an
tieipated a charter membership Of twenty
or thirty, drawn from the young men who
could speak English. Instead of this. the
first call for a meeting brought $50 young
men. Americans. English, Germans,
French, Spanish and good proportion of
native Cubans.
For the purpose Of this trip Mr.. Pierce
was granted a leave OF absence of two
weeks by the directors of the local assO-
citation. and he arrived at Havana No
vember IL. Mr.. J. E. Hubbard, formerly
misunderstanding of the Y. M. c. A. for
the state of Virginia. had been sent to
Havana ten months prior to do the pre-
liminary work and to learn the language
of the people, so that when the organiza-
ton would be completed he could intelli-
gently administer its affairs. Mr.. Hub
bard met Mr.. Pierce at the wharf, and the
compafgn was begun.
Notable Event.
Tuesday evening dinner was given in
honor of Mr.. Pierce which formally
launched the project. This dinner was
said to be the most notable event of its
kind in the history of the new republic.
President T. Estrada Palma, who had had
an extended interview with Mr.. Pierce at
the palace soon after his arrival, de-
parted from his usual custom and at
tended the dinner in person, attended by
his private secretary and aid-de-camp.
He made an earnest address in Spanish,
tndorsing the establishing of an associa-
republic and calling upon all friends Of
good citizenship and patriots to give 1t
their earnest support. He then turned to
Mr.. Pierce, who was practically the only
understand the Spanish language, and
himself interpreted his remarks.
Letter From President Roosevelt.
Mr.. Pierce prefaced his address by read
ing letter which he had received from
President Roosevelt on the eve Of his de-
parture, which created great enthusiasm.
The dinner was attended by the most rep
resentative body Of English-speaking resi-
dents ever seen together in Havana, and
the distinguished Cuban statesmen and
war heroes made it a gathering Of COM
handing influence.
Among those who sat at the table. in adj
dition to the president of the republic. were
the postmaster general, the head customs
officer Of the government. the mayor of
Havana the vice consul of the United
States, the presidents Of leading banks.
the representatives of great international
such as the Associated Press
and Dun & Co., group of prominent Gu
ban heroes Of the late war, president of
the American Club. and the leading repre-
sentatives Of practically every business in
terest in the city. The British minister.
who was unavoidably detained sent a
strong letter of commentator of the or
ganiZatiOn of the association. The Amert
can minister, Mr.. Squiers. upon whom Mr..
Pierce had called in Washington few
days before, had not returned from the
United States, but Mr.. Pierce brought his
greetings and his promise of every help in
his power.
Results Of Conference.
In addition to this dinner there was
conference called informally Of the young
men In the city who were themselves in
ent the Cuban young men predominated.
Mr.. Hubbard and Mr.. Pierce explained the
work of the association, both in English
and through an interpreter. Before Mr..
Pierce sailed the next day the membership
had increased to $50, and 1t seemed proba-
BILE that the charter membership of the
new association would be at least 500.
During the last two days of Mr.. Pierce's
visit In Havana the canvass for 5000 to
launch the new association was begun.
One-half of this amount was secured in
these two days Of interrupted work. The
amount included one pledge of $500. one of
from American business men who have
settled there.