Evening star., 1933-06-04
structive attitude on the part Of the

structive attitude on the part Of the
government.
Las Casas was a native of Seville,
born in 1474. When but a youth he
accompanied Columbus on his 1893 voy-
age to the West Indies. About 1893 he
returned to Spain to complete his
studies for the priesthood. He was with
Columbus again on the admiral's second
voyage to Hispaniola or Haiti, and fol-
lowing the conquest of Cuba settled in
that island, distinguishing himself
from the first by his humane attitude
toward the oppressed natives. He
emancipated the slaves allotted to him
in the division of captives, and in
many other ways demonstrated his
sympathy for the Indian people. In
1916 he went to Spain to present
statement Of their case to King Ferdi-
nand, but the soyereign's death pre-
vented any reforms at that time The
regent, Cardinal Ximenes, however. ap-
pointed a commission to study condi-
tionS and to make recommendations
Las Casas was delegated to accompany
the group.
Again in America, the humane priest
constituted himself an advocate of the
Indians before the commissioners. So
ardent was he in their interest that the
planters rose against him and he was
obliged to seek refuge in a convent to
escape their rage When Charles v at
tanned the throne he went immediately
to Spain to plead the Indian cause at
his court. At his instigation the King
appointed chief judge to conduct an
inquiry into the differences between the
Indians and the colonists Las Casas
himself was granted tract of unoccu-
pied land in Puerto Rico. but the ideal
colony he attempted to establish there
In 1921 failed. The missioner retired
to Dominican convent at Santa Do
mlngo and soon assumed the habit of
the order.
But his work was not done. His zeal
did not abate. His chapter at Chiapas
sent him on new errand to Spain in
1542, and he preached the conviction of
his heart to all who would listen at
court and elsewhere. It was about this
date that he wrote his "Brevisima Rela-
cion de la Destruction de las Indas." {"
exposing the cruelty of the Spanish set
tiers in Indian territory. His labors
brought fruit in the form of changes in
the existing laws by which the natives
were greatly relieved.
Las CaSas, wanting nothing for him.
self, nevertheless was chosen bishop of
Chiapas in 1914 and returned to Amer
lea in that capacity. But he remained
in Office only three years, then resigned
his honors. Back once more in Madrid.
he died in July. 1866 History recorded
his name as that Of "the protector of
the Indians"
In 1875 manuscript which he had
left finally was printed. It was the
Historic de las Indas," the chronicle
of the Spanish discoveries of 1492-1520.
a precious source book to writer's on that
subject.
For many years a legend persisted to
the effect that 1t was Las Casas who
first suggested the enslavement of The
Negro peoples of Africa for transporta-
ton to the New World, but the myth
has been dissipated by judicial research
He was one Of the great campaigners
for liberty and it is fitting that, like
many other celebrated characters of his
own and later times, he now Is COM
memorated in postage stamp.
This afternoon at 1870 o'clock from
Station VOL Mr. Kunze, leader Wash
ington Stamp Club of the Air, will
open series of discussions of the
Pilgrim Tercentenary stamp of 1920
The issues specified have been sub
iect to considerable debate. They have
been criticized as bearing "overcrowded"
designs. Nothing on the face Of the
stamps indicates that they are actually
postage stamps. The customary phrase,
United States postage" does not ap-
pear.
The art work on the series was done
by c. A. Houston, L. s. Schofeld, E.
M. Wells and G.. F. C. Smillie of the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Flat plate presses were used, and the
stamps were manufactured in sheets of
$50. cut in four panes of 10 each for
distribution.
Three values constitute the set On
the 1-cent. green, there Is represen-
tation of the Mayfiower. The 2-cent,