Semi-weekly herald., 1910-01-10
eminent of santo pomingo. which S

ernment of Santo Domingo, which Is
without sentiment and has other uses
fol its revenues. The Junta Colum
bina, to which have referred, has
sufficient patriotism and zeal, but is
without means. Its officials would be
very glad to look after the work OF
restoration and the maintenance OF
the buildings thereafter II they could
obtain financial assistance, and no
one more competent than Don Emil
iano Tejara, its president. could be
found for such trust. The govern
fnent would undoubtedly be willing
to transfer the title of the property
might be selected. and would give
whatever aid and encouragement II
could except money to the undertak.
Ing.
The Hon. Fenton r. McCreery. our
minister to the Dominican republic,
who Is now In this country on leave of
absence, is deeply interested in the
subject. He believes that not more
than 100000 would be necessary to
place the ruin in safe condition so
that 1t would last for centuries longer,
although 1t would require at least an
other hundred thousand to restore II
entirely to its original magnificence.
Mr., McCreery would undertake the
Inauguration of the work and con,
necessary with the Dominican gov
ernment.
A still more stately structure,
standing near the Casa de Colon. is
known as the Homenaje or citadel
| 1t is one of the most imposing in
America. 1t stands as II was when
Diego Columbus took command of 1t
In 1909, and is without question the
most interesting and picturesque
building in America 1t occupies a
| commanding position upon the right
bank of the river OZama, at the sum
| NIT of steep cliff which has been
| worn into caverns by the action OF
the water. 1t was originally fort
res, afterward a prison and is now a
of the Guardia Republican, or rural
guard, which furnishes police protec.
| tion for the island The organization
resembles the Basilliara of Italy aud
| Spain. and the Rurales OF Mexico,
who do military as well as police serv.
| ice. President Caceres of Santo Do.
mingo is very proud of them.
The tower of the Homemade, or Co.
lumbus Tower. as it is known, is used
for signaling ships and for weather
observations. 1t has recently been re-
stored by the government at consid-
| cradle expense and is now in excellent
condition. Tourists are shown a cell
| in which Columbus was confined by
| Bobadilla before being sent as a pris'
oner to Cadiz, and that Is as accurate
as much other information that is
| acquired in the same way. The same
| authorities will point out a ceiba tree
on the bank of the river, to which
Columbus moored his caravels when
| he first arrived. but do not furnish
| any proof. Near by is gushing
small stone house, which they will
tell you was erected by Don Diego
to protect the spring for the use of
his own household, and that Is prob.
ably true.
The City of Santo Domingo, which
you will remember is the Oldest town
In America, was founded by Barthol.
omew, the brother of Columbus, in
1896, and he began the construction
of the Homemade in that year. Bar
tholomew remained there the greater
part of his life and was buried in the
old monastery.
Don Diego proved a very incom-
petent executive, and was compelled
to make several Journeys to Spain
to explain and defend his official con.
duct. He appears to have prospered
financially, however. for there is evil
dence that in 1920 he advanced
| Charles V. 10000 ducats to defray
| the expenses of visit to Flanders
and his generosity seems TO have been
reciprocated by the king. who imme
diately dismissed all charges against
him and made him viceroy over all
the Indies, recognition Diego had
been demanding fourteen years. But
additional rank and responsibilities
only increased his troubles, and in
| the midst of an investigation that
lasted more than two years death
ended his tempestuous career at Mon
| talavan, Spain in 1926.
Diego was buried beside his father
in the monastery OF Las Cuevas, near
Seville, and the remains of both were
removed TO the Cathedral of San
Domingo few years later. 1t was
his bones, instead of those of Chris
topher Columbus that the people OF
San Domingo claim were transported
, to Havana in 1895.
Diego Columbus left his widow and
l o., 4