The New York herald., 1922-01-29
Columbus 5 Tomb.
Evidence the Dlscoverer's Bones Lie
In Sant0 Domingo City.

In p8nCO DOmlngO ClCys
To TIN NAw YORK HERALD: In view
Of the renewed discussion concerning
the place where the bones of Columbus
now rest, may I be permitted to shed
a little moro light on this most romantic
subject, which I am sure will prove of
timely interest to tho readers of your
paper7
It is quite true that IL will always
be moot question as to where tho
authentic remains Of the great discov-
erer lie. However. the preponderancc
Of testimony as the result OF numerous
Investigations and researches made by
unbiased students clearly indicates the
remains are in the Cathedral OF Santo
Domingo. where they have reposed since
about 154o, and tho consensus Of public
opinion supports that view.
1t is interesting to make OF prominent
note the fact that among the members
Of the diplomatic corps and other high
officials in Santo Domingo on Septem-
ber 10, 1877. when the find was made,
who witnessed and certified to 1t in a
formal manner, the most outspoken in
favor Of the authenticity OF the remains
being those of Christopher Columbus
was Don Jose Manuel Echevarria, Consul
OF Spain, who In representation Of his
King demanded of tho Apostolic Dele
gate that the remains be turned over to
him to be substituted for those received
by Spain through what he claimed to be
the hoax perpetrated on his Government
In 1895. when the other remains were
disinterred and removed to Havana. The
Spanish Consul thought he was serving
his King. His King thought otherwise.
The Consul was bitterly criticized for
afflxing his signature to the notarial
document relating to the discovery. In
cidentally he was removed from Office
and dismissed from his consular career,
A well known member Of the New
York bar, man who has made long
study of conditions in the West Indies
and Is thoroughly familiar with Santo
Domingo. Porto Rico and Cuba. has re-
Gently published volume which among
other matters deals with the remains
Of Columbus. He says:
MANY investigations have been made
from different sources and the majority
of investigators report in favor OF the
Dominican contention. especially when
mingo. The Spanish writer's present no
proof that the remains taken to Havana
in 1876 were those OF Christopher Co
lumbus, but limit themselves to attack
ing the find of 1877. The insinuations
and accusations. without corroborating
facts, prove nothing but the temper Of
their authors.
"An criticisms have been refutcd by
showing that even supposng the box to
date from year 154o other indubita-
BILE inscriptions OF that year have the
same style of letters. abbreviations.
spelling and words as those criticized.
Further, the appearance of the criticized
vault of 1877 the circumstances attend
ing the discovery and the irreproacha-
BILE character of the Apostolic Delegate,
of Canon Billini and of others connected
with that event preclude ell suspicion
of fraud.
"On the whole the weight of evidence
is strongly in favor OF the Dominican
contention. 1t seems that. in spite of
the acts of men fate has permitted the
remains of the discoverer of America
to repose in the principal cathedral of
the island he loved"
By one Of those curious twists Of fate
and providential Intervention tho bones
Of Columbus, that is the precious rem
nants of them, lie in the old cathedral
of this city. And 1t is planned by
Pan-American movement and voluntary
contributions to pay beiated homage and
commensurate respect to the lowly CO.
lumbus. the great, the original blazer of
the trail. w. E. PuLLIAM
Receiver General Of Dominican Customs.
SANTo DOMINGO CITY, January is.