(TELEGRAM FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT)
BILBAO, AUGUST 2. The 400th anniversary of the departure of Christopher Columbus from the little port of Palos, in the south of Spain, is being celebrated to-day in a very special manner. In the Bay of Cadiz, near to Palos, is gathered a quite imposing fleet of warships, representing all the great Powers of the world, and all to do honour to the memory of the great navigator who opened to us the vast wonders of the Western Hemisphere.
Italy, the birthplace of Columbus, is represented by four ironclads; Great Britain by three; France by two; the United States by two; and other Powers in proportion. In all, a fleet of nearly 30 ships of war is assembled to do homage to the spirit of enterprise and discovery which Columbus so specially represented. Of course Spain, under whose flag the great man sailed, takes special and peculiar pride in recalling memories of a past history which reflects upon her a glory quite different to her present position in the world, a glory which no one is unwilling to grant to a nation once the leading Power of both the Old and the New World.
For some time past the Spanish Government have been busy constructing at San Fernando (Cadiz) a vessel, the exact copy of the ship in which Columbus sailed. This caravel, the “Santa Maria,” is equipped also in the style of four hundred years ago, even to the slightest detail. The artillery is composed of old Lombardy guns, and falconets and old crossbows are mounted upon her decks. Her cabins also are exact replicas of those in which Columbus lived during his anxious and celebrated voyage. The ampolleta (the sand hour-glass), the carved furniture, the bed covers, the pictures of the period representing the Virgin and the maps of that age, are all reproduced with wonderful fidelity.
This quaint ship, manned by Spanish sailors from the training ship Nautilus, is taking the place of honour in the festivities of to-day. A rich and pretty picture is formed by the famous Andalusian bay, and not even in the proudest days of Spain would it ever look more glorious than now when receiving a peaceful testimony of respect and of gratitude from all the civilised world. Perhaps it is painful to reflect that of all the vast empire of Spain in the Americas there only remains to her Cuba, the pearl of the Western Seas. Yet her language, her race, and her history are imperishable monuments in her old possessions which can never fade away.
HUELVA, AUGUST 2. The Municipality of Huelva has decided, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the departure of Columbus on his voyage of discovery, to address telegrams of congratulation to the Pope, the Queen Regent of Spain, the Spanish Premier, the King of Italy, Queen Victoria, the Presidents of the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and the other American States, and to the General of the Order of St. Francis, who did so much towards helping Columbus to effect his discovery.
Delegates of the Municipality left this evening to meet the envoys sent by the Republics of Costa Rica, San Domingo, and Venezuela. About 15 American States have sent representatives. General Palacio has invited the public authorities to a dinner on board the Mexican ironclad Zaragoza. All the superior officers of the foreign squadrons will banquet at the Grand Hotel Colon here. There will be a special service at the church where Columbus received holy communion before embarking on his voyage of discovery, at which all the delegates will be present.
LATER. The caravel Santa Maria was moored off the Monastery of La Rabida to-day, whither she proceeded under full sail. The spectacle presented by the curiously formed barque as she sailed down the river was very unique and picturesque.
The Minister of Marine and suite disembarked at the Monastery and proceeded to Palos by land in order to be present at a solemn religious ceremony at that place. The American Minister at Madrid and the officers of the British, Austrian, Dutch, and other foreign vessels now here, had also gone to Palos for the same purpose.
A considerable time elapsed without any signs of the service commencing. After some delay, it was ascertained that there were no priests present to officiate. Many of the visitors then left the church, but the Minister of Marine and his suite remained in their places for an hour and a half. Not a single ecclesiastic, however, appeared, and it then became evident that it was useless to wait any longer. The untoward incident, which up to the present remains inexplicable, has excited a great deal of comment, and an inquiry into the matter has been opened. The Vicar of Palos asserts that he had not received any notification of the intended ceremony, while the Mayor, on the other hand, declares that he sent an invitation yesterday to the Vicar to perform the service.
(The Glasgow Herald / Reuter)
