The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-04

resources are small All the arms on
the island are owned by the Spanish,
who control the sale of guns and ammu-
milton.
The Puerto Rican revolutionary party
which was recently formed in New
York purposes to supply this deficiency.
At the first meeting an impromptu col
lection was taken and over $500 con-
tributed. The reyolutionists are now
organizing branches in other cities, and
expect to raise enough money in q short
time to send well equipped expeditions
to the island with large supplies Of arms
and ammunition. Then, when the word
is given for the revolt, the patriots will
be we'll armed.
DR.. J. Julio Henna Of New York,
who has been elected president of the
revolutionary party, says that the Puerto
Ricans and the Cubans are to combine
their resources in this country and holp
each other, at the same time dividing
Spain's attention.
"Money is coming in rapidly for the
purchase Of arms and ammunition, he
said. Like Cubans, Puerto Ricans are
compel lied to suffer the burden of an abb
surd and heavy taxation. Our people
are downtrodden and enslaved. Outrages
by the Spanish government upon the
people are of common occurrence. Our
police is com posed of ex-convicts sent
from Spain, and our people are subject
ed to gross outrages at the hands of
these men, who are invested with a
power that makes them petty tyrants.
We realize our strength now. We, too,
will fight for independence, and with
Spain's waning energies divided be-
tween the two countries Cubans and
Puerto Ricans hope to achieve their free
DOM
It is fair land, this little island, and
a rich one. In the interior are several
mountain ranges from whose slopes
plunge down over 1000 streams that
empty into the ocean. Most of these
rivers are navigable part of their length.
There are 40 or more towns and cities,
and a railroad almost encircles the is
land. The principal port and capital is
San Juan. This is historic and pictur-
esgue old city. It is defended by Moro
castle, where a garrison of some 4, 600
soldiers is maintained.
The bulk of Puerto Rico's trade is with
England, but owing to heavy duties and
taxes it is carried on in Spanish ships.
Spain comes next in rank as a customer,
and the United States is third on the
list
The productiveness of this small col
ony is surprising. The average annual
yield of coffee is Is, 600 tons; of sugar.
$1,000 tons; of tobacco, 1000, 900
Notwithstanding figures. Besides
this, many tropical fruits are exported
as well as some cotton. The tobacco is
said to excel that of Cuba, and the cot
ton is very valuable. There are gold,
copper, iron and lead deposits there, but
the mines are not worked. In 1898 Puer-
to Rico sent to the United States over
So, 0Oo, 1000 worth of sugar and coffee
and fruit to the value Of about $3,o00,-
600. We sent them in return flour, but
ter, cheese, Goldfish, iron and steel to the
value Of over $3,700, 900, besides 2, ESQ
tons of machinery and II, 600 tons Of
coal
Taxation is the curse of the country.
The inhabitants are taxed almost every
time they turn around. They are taxed,
in fact, when they go from one city to
the other. Travellers have to pay 81 to
land on the island. The taxes On foreign
ships are particularly heavy and unjust.
The island is governed wholly by
Spaniards, who are sent from Madrid
Every petty officer is a Spanish tyrant
in the eyes of the people. This horde of
oficeholders the Puerto Ricans have to
support as well as furnish money to car
~ on war against their neighbors, the
Cubans. No wonder they are ripe for
rebellion.
Every body takes the JOURNAL