The Washington herald., 1909-06-27

claim the attention OF tas eor,r,j,fss-
However. from the general oTee- vihicl1
will be centrally located az San Tnan
Porto Rico comparatively easv sccssq
may De had 20 the numerous other islands
Of the West Indies. including s.. Thomas.
Santa Cruz St Christopher. Guadelot,ne.
Jamaica. Haiti, santO Domingo. Domlnica-
Martinique. St Lucia, St Vincent. Rsr-
bados. and the Bahamas. These Islands
contain more than thirty cities having a
population exceeding 5000 each.
The island OF Porto Rico, 100 miles lorz
and thirty-six miles wide pleads for as
sociau5ns in its eight principal cities. san
Juan. Ponce, MayagueZ, AgHadilia, Are
cibo. Cssuas. Guayama. and San German.
Mr.. 1ibbitts. who recently returned horns
from a journey the length and breadth oc
the sland. makes an urgent appeal 20
the American people 10 help provide for
the great needs OF this field. and gives
these seven impressive reasons Why The
time IS opportune for occupancy:
First-Porto Rlcan young men are
anxious for education and religious teach
ing County. as well a. city. public
schools are filled with earnest students.
Second-The people are receptive 10
everything that IS progressive and elevat-
ing. They honor America. and seek
american ideas and instruction.
Third-ScOres % native Porto Ricaa
young men. who have attended American
colleges and visited American cities where
they have come in touch with the assO-
ciaticn and learned its value. stand ready
20 cooperate IN the organization Of the
work in their home cities.
FourtH-Thrcugh buildings erected n
the eight principal cities. practically
every man and boy on the island can be
reached. Night educational classes v-olEd
be crowded. and the other association
privileges would De eagerly sought after
Fifth-Ihe fact that the saloon has
made its way 70 the cities. country roads.
trails. and plantations. emphasizes the
need OF an aggressive association work
SiX-8fissiOnaTies and natives alike
make earnest appeal for this definite
work for men
Seventh-A well organized work with
buildings and proper equipment would
make Porto Rico the center for Chris
tian work for men in the West Indies.
The need of work in the islands IS
known 10 President Taft. who sent the
following letter 10 Secretary TIbbitts:
the work which you have done in Cuba
IN behaE OF the Young Mems Christian
Association and an very thankful 70
know that you are going 70 extend this
work throughout the West Indies and
hope you viii meet with much success
Very sincerely yours.
WILLIAM z TAFT
About fcJy OF the most prominent and
Influential men OF Havana nave willingly
accepted positions on the advisory com
mittee for the local association These
men are almost without exception. Gu
bans and Spaniards from the leading
business and professional ranks Their
cooperation must result IN a widen
ing influence and greater confidence. as
each is becoming more thoroughly ac-
Quainted with the work being carried or.
lis opportunities and possibilities. and IS
now making the association better known
among his friends.
Havana must have A thoroughly equip
ped building. The influence this associs-
ton exerts throughout the island is most
noticeable With the right kind o. equip
ment and each department thoroughly
organized and alive 20 its responsibility.
the Havana association viii reach thou
sands and be a saving power. not only
. y
among American young men residing IN
/ Cuba. and many others who are con
stantly coming 70 this beautiful city from
almost every ca1lon In the world Such
a building should have IGo dormitories-
/ Double this number could BE- easily
used.
For FIVE years this association has been
/ occupying an old building with The MOST
Z limited equipment The young men have
I proved their interest in the work and
have chung faithfully 70 the very few
/ privileges offered. as they have found
them better than none The time has
now come for an aggressive movement
/ IN Havana and very little more can bs
I done without the necessary building and
I equipment There is a prospect that ths
/ building now occupied viii soon be
| sold The organization VIII then be
without a home.
The permanent camp established near
Havana By the Americans is now used
+ by the Cuban army scout 200 men
are stationed al this place II offers q
large opportunity for association work.
/ the influence OF which would reach a very
large number OF The homes in al parts
I OF the island. The officers would gladly
give such assistance as may be needed
/ With proper equipment the Young Mems
+ Christian Association in Cuba would re-
ceive a great impetus from the very
Z beginning An army branch should be
/ established here IN the early fail which
viii be IN charge Ofsan experienced sec
lretary. with an attractive building. vel
furnished and wholly devoted 70 this
work
sisted by the slight creature 10 whom he