The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-13
Much GrumbIing Because Gen. brooke
Retained Former Officers who Took
the Oath of Allegiance.
INCIDENTS OF EVACUATION
AND THE TRANSFER or THE ISLAND
TO THE UNITED STATES.
How the First POstOflce at San Juan
Was EstabIished-Lottery Coma
pany Managers Shocked.
cOrrespondence Of the AssoeIated presa.

Correspondence Of the Associated Press
SAN JUAN DE PUERTO RICO, Oct. %.
1t is the purpose of General Brooke. mill
tary governor OF this island, to retain as
far as possible the governmental institu-
| tons, both general and municipal, now ex-
listing here, and 70 permit these various in
situations to regulate the islands affairs in
the future as they have done in the past.
To this policy there are two features It
is to be distinctly understood that each and
every institution is under the absolute con-
troll of the American military government,
and that this state of affairs shall continue
until such time as the Congress of the
United States shall have determined Just
what sort of housekeeping shall be UNDER
taken in Porto Rico. Partisan politics Should
not exist under these present circumstances.
| and a strong effort will be made to elimi-
nate them from the premises and to alIay
their disturbing influence. Just how far this
can be done successfully is a question open
to and receiving considerable discussion at
the present time. The above outline of
policy was visible in the business-like Gem
eral Orders, No. /, issued from the Palace
in San Juan on Oct is, and as soon as the
fact contained therein found its way to the
public mind the Porto Rican advocates OF
spells sprang into print, and this discussion
may be expected to lead to some stand
grafton.
When it comes to a question of spoils the
Porto Rican considers himself the victor.
While he does not for a moment believe
himself in any way a party to the recent
Spanish departure, he counts himself vic
tor over the Spaniard insomuch as he
stands on record as having welcomed the
American with open arms and he conse-
quently does not see why this country
should still hold over him any man who is
a Spaniard or continue any institution TO
remind him of the much talked-of past days
of oppression and tyranny. That Rome was
not built in a day and other arguments
based upon that irrefutable statement does
not have the quieting effect which one would
wish. you have" say they, come to re-
move the odious and hated yoke of Spain.
Well, away with it now andsats once, Every
Spaniard should be- removed from ofhce Ia
we cannot and will not stand even the con-
trolled administration Of men who oppressed
US in days gone by and we want the i'm
mediate undoing of the form Of government
in all it's branches that Spain saw fit to
force upon us. We will accept Porto Rican
control, but we will have nothing more to
do with the Spaniards." And when the
Porto Rican in the role of victor, calls
loudly for the spoils he does not seek Office
for himself or his friends as a reward, nor
for reasons Of possible gain, but simply to
bring about the removal of the detested
Spaniard and the substitution of men whom
he is willing to have over him.
But General Brooke has said that he will
continue as far as possible the old institu-
tons, and this also means the old men.
This path will have its difficulties. 1t is
said that charges of various kinds. all tend
ing to show the unfitness Of certain Span-
iards to longer hold Office will be carefully
prepared and set before General Brooke. In
many cases the charges may be true; in
many cases, being prompted by the funda-
mental desire of having the men removed,
they may be exaggerated and misleading or
unfair and false. There may be presented
very good reasons why a certain man should
be removed from office. If this were done a
successor would have to be appointed and
then what an opportunity for partisan poll
tics, lobbying, influence, etc, with a. fair
chance that the most wise appointment pos
sible under the circumstances would carry
as much local discomfort as the continu-
ance of the man who was shown to be I'M
fitted for his post. Then there viii also come
up the question as to whether Spaniards Of
known integrity, honesty and efficacy should
be removed simply because they are Span
iards. There will surely be men to request
this and they will as surely criticise and
rant and declaim in all the wealth OF the
Castilian tongue when they learn that the
great republic that fountain-head Of justice,
that home of the oppressed, will force upon
the people the .detested presence or serV-
The next few months in Porto Rico viii
hear much discussion and complaint, large
afnt rrriI nj
lions outlined above General Brooke viii
find to his hand many matters requiring
delicate adjustment, If the peace and con-
tentment Of the islanders are to be pre-
served. General Brooke's course up to the
present time has given ample promise OF
his ability to successfully steer his way
through tins undertaking. He lets men see
that he is governor general OF TINS island,
mindedness and direct methods
To-day the members Of the old insular
Cabinet, MeSsrs. Munez, Blanco, Lopez and
Carbonnel. the secretaries, as they are
called. took the oath of allegiance TO the
United States. This oath, which Is as FOL
lows. was administered by Colonel Edward
Hunter
forever all allegiance and fidelity to any
foreign prince, potentate, state or SOW
ereignty and particularly to the state ana
sovereignty of Spain. And ! do further
Constitution of the United States against
all enemies, foreign and domestic; that
will bear true latin ana duGSAdIicE 70 the
same; that / take this obligation freely.
without any mental reservation or purpose
of evasion"
These men are continued in their Offices
of minister of finance, minister of justice
and minister of the interior by General
Brooke. and, as an expected consequence OF
this action their political opponents are
rabid. The Pals Of this evening, prints
many words on the subject only to say.
however that as General Brookes power
is absolute and supreme. the ministers are
not really ministers, but merely employees
of General Brooke. Which rather truthful
criticism. had 1t been expressed in six
words instead Of six hundred. would have
made a telling editorial So II will go back
and forth. In the meantime the general in
the palace does what he thinks best and
men are putting faith in his judgment.
There is talk of mass meeting next sun
day the reported purpose Of which is the
amelioration of the condition Of the work.
ingman. This Is a good safe subject tel
which no one can reasonably object. so per-.
mission for this meeting has been granted.
il is fair to suppose that denunciations oil
many men and many things coupled With
rhetorical illusions to the grand Repnb-
lie will be more prevalent at this gathering
than the discussion OF questions relating TO
the man who tolls For, in the words of
the Pals. "Since yesterday the people OF
this capital are greatly excited and this es-
element win grow the news snfeads-tha
reason Of this popular Indignation Il -