Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1895-12-30
PUERTO RICO NEXT.
STAINS ONLY OTHER WEST INDIAN POSSESSION TO EMULATE CUBA.

First Blow For Liberty May Very Soon Be struck-WiII Declare Independence. Many of tho Revolutionary Leaders Are In New York.
 In her struggle for independence Gu. ba has found a powerful ally in the is- land of Puerto Rico. According to the latest intelligence Spain now has two insurrections on her hands, or will have if the plans maturing are carried into execution.
 Puerto Rico has gone so far, it is said, as to issue a declaration of independence, and will soon join her sister island in tho active struggle for liberty. An army is being formed by the Separatist party of Puerto Rico, and as soon as the lead CTS are ready tho new campaign will open.
 As in the Venezuela affair, the reyo- lutionists are Cuban patriots residing in New York, and the same secrecy attend ed their movements. At meeting held recently at the home of Dr. J. Julio Hanna in that city business calculated to further harass the Spanish govern mont was transacted. It was there that the initial steps were taken in this country toward revolution in Puerto Rico. If these plans and those formulat- cd by the leaders on the island are car ried out, the first blow against Spain will be struck in very short time.
 It may be but few days before the people of Puerto Rico. the only Spanish province in the West Indies which is not reyolting against the mother coun- try, will be up in arms against Spain. The leaders here claim that vigor- ous declaration of independence has been prepared by tho leaders of the Puer- to Rican Separatist party, and that it is their intention to issue this as soon as they feel sure that they can defend themselves against any action Spain may take in consequence.
 This declaration of independence was prepared on the island, and at least one copy of it was sent for the leaders here to pass upon. They have given it their approval and have so informed the Separatist party in Puerto Rico.
 h starting this new revolution the Puerto Riean leaders are fully carrying out the original plans of General Jose Marti, the late leader of the Cuban revo- lution, which were to first get the Gu ban insurrectioon we'll under way, and then to encourage or rather create a similar uprising in Puerto Rico.
 There were to be two separate revolu- tions, tho army of each of the two prov inces acting independently. as far as possible, but necessarily in conjunction when q crisis was reached, but each striving for the same object-the de- feat of Spain. If a victory should be won, it was arranged that the sister is lands should form entirely separate gov ernments tho republic of Cuba and the republic of Puerto Rico
 In formulating this plan General Marti consulted prominent Puerto Ri cans who are now i'll New York, one of whom eorroborated the above statement last night These men are among those who are arranging the present proposed coup. Cuba's cause and Puerto Rico's cause are, they say, identical.
 It cannot be said who will command the volunteering forces i'll case of actual war, but General Rius, veteran of the ten years war in Cuba, would seem to be logical candidate. He was per sonal friend of General Maximo Gomez, the leader of the Cuban army.-New York Journal