New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24
NEW RULE IN PORTO RICO.
GENERAL HENRY's COURSE IN DEAL
ING WITH THE ISLANDERS

A QUESTION OF DEVELOPMENT AND hp'NA
r1ox-rHE NEW GOVERNOR OUTLINES
HIS POLICY IN AN OPEN LETTER
LIFE IN SAN JUAN.
San Juan de Porto Rico Dec. i2-During the last
week the most important occurrence In san Juan
has been the departure OF General John r. BROOKE
and the installation OF General Guy v Henry as
Military Governor OF Porto Rico. Upon ASSUME
ing the duties OF Governor. General Henry mas eA-
nrassed What his future policy with regard 70 the
administration OF public affairs Will he ana ms
new policy has been outlined in two letters du-
dressed 20 the President ard members oil 'he IN
sular Cabinet These letters have been made pun
lie but until they are translated ana puonsheu /"
Spanish in the various island papers Ii VIII not
be known how the new policy is received by me
people A. large The letters have 'alre&n. "'''
reproduced in The san Juan News the eh'e'
piising American newspaper OF the 'ai''di' '
Enclish-speakng men have had the oppor'um'F "l
d,scuss,np and diges;ins them he universal
opinion among these men concerning "ehei"'
Henry the energy of his new methous anu ~
radical departures from Old ones is one o' 'o'.
mendation The few Porto Ricans who have uhoer'
stood ;h.se letters have been pleased with thcu
GENERAL HENRY's FRANK STATEMENTS
one Of these letters is as follows:
To the President and Secretaries OF me 00unT IN
Centlemen. on assuming command announce ~
n certain way what my programme VII V3rAa,o,d
. Irs y; s, ta1 as Ss cadc and me
various towns. that Is N nr s .n boId hem re-
tponsble for the condition OF their towns e, 70
cade with his Council sn@u no ls aw and order
Introduce sanitary regulations OBTAIN. IN taT a." ~
carts in use in the United States ana IN every po pos
slble way improve the c0ndlll9h Oh ois ma that
cleanliness is kept up iaNinh mos 4,cifion of
tan to observe these orders Ihe eo Nth the
sewer system and Of course 81 me sie ,i
impot'ance to resiraini over the Council which
exist in all countries, out as ia1 as pVs az -
and intention TO appoint men who are selected
BY the people TO the C9sn' OF OF selections in
volvne so many points Will have 70 be conslIeIea
~ fsose VINO can read and write only IA per cent
OF these people being abe to 40 so M 4 sc
cording 10 the Spanish law everyoo0y Is AlowSTSI
10 vote who s twenty-five years Ga, cohro 1871 ,h
matter NIL oe Sni whatever do will for
man may capable Of expressing ms opinion ne
second-A man Office is not 70 be remoCe oH eX
inefscieni OF the Alcade is and i IS reported to
me, they will De removed upon due l nv oSncn
but II they fail 70 DO their duty VIII tax I.oT
myself, under military authority the appointing OF
" Tsrd"TSe System Of school education should be
many teachers they can pay who can ieach ,ns
american or English Language beginning VIII
who can speak English only can accomplish me Inc
purpose by object lessons II Is ihonshr d's a.
so a month in gold. and they are well worth H.
The young children are anWous 70 ea avn viii Ye
port 10 me how many teachers they can so employ
they ~ hes ns towns il is also my desire in
troduce as possible policemen. SO as 10
teach The native policemen what their duties are
and also to encourage them 10 exercise some au s
thority. which at present tsey seem mol nes,g SIZE;
some Americans now on the island. giving them so
month in gold II they snow tneniseIees C%PS" ne
gold Towns thai willing 10 start this system
VIVA, ihey are willing to pay Only few Of those
men will be employed. SO as 10 teach me local
should pI not be Put In a Hdee ScPr
necessary restraint. and then charges SHOULD be
preferred soon afteIward as possible ssis All men
amined into, and II the evidence i not strong strong
enYgh TO hold them they must be rel s Wnt
bandits and nurfereTs have organi 5 commits IS
trial Alcaides 10 repor, an cases Of ihis KIND
and commanding officers will forward charges. with
cases viii be referred TO military commissions for
proper action 1t is desirable and better II pos
sible for these be tried by civil rather Than
sentence win he made 10 work on the streets The
injustice Of holding men In jail without charges or
. putting them in Jail and holding them there with
country. cannot be TOO strongly Impressed upon
the people, and will not be allowed
Fnih-The matter OF customs cuties VIII nave 10
be rssaiated by Congress as Ven as that Of the
everything possible with reference TO improving the
towns making oolect-lessons Of American methods
Sa,ion This can only be done By acting t6re,her
Politics should be discarded far possible IN all
govern II the ISLAND md # viii be time enough then to
resort 70 political methods il so desired Untl then
independence OF any political ntrigues or personal
Sixth Articles published in papers Of incen;
diary character. criticisms hose in authority and
NOT be allowed Papers that indulge in such articles
Will be closed and If that does have the desired
punishment those who cause difficuity by 'ucn
srcles There seems 10 be on his island TOO much
should be done away with II we expect to succeed.
hro0Ke IN me he
leave me free 20 act. ! considered IL for the inter
unf had some reason Tor relieving them if that
ever occurs. for believe they capable men.
actions are governed simply by the interest Of the
island rather than by personal motives which may
ills The intention tina, the soldiers. so far as pos
United States soldiers not needed. so the idea
now Is 10 educate me peop pie, to axe care OF them
ofhcial resorins TO violence In order 10 protect him
@ m the e Of his GUY ny VIII he n0he6
using force when In the performance ot his duty II
Soldiers who do not respect the civil authority. or
try 70 impose upon policemen 7 reported 70 me
Win Commandinr of7cers Of troops have been
directed 20 keep themselves In touch with the
10 encourage them in governing their towns. pre-
serving law and order and proper police all OF
These the general opinions that have IN
accepting the position which Is one fraught with
many difficulties and which requires constant at
tention and thoughtfuness am sure Will be
aided BY the Cabinei which have about me When
they fail shall not hesitate to ask assistance
from others | believe. however. that II all pohO-
cal IA rites will smother their differences and come
together, uniting as one party the grand oolsct OF
making this island first in every respect VIII ne
easily accomplished and much more quickly re-
allied than It could otherwise be by constant ponil-
cal friction and quarrels The intelligence OF the
Porto Ricans should show them that what say IN
The above Is true. and should appeal 10 every man
who has the good OF his people AZ heart and make