The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-09
PORTO RICO : REVOLT
Described and Accounted For
BY a Porto Rican.
OCCUPATION BY YANKEES
Would Be a Welcome Relief
From Spain's Yoke.
OCCUPATION BY YANKEES


In view OF the fact that the feet under
the Command OF Acting Rear Admiral
Sampson is supposed to about to attack
Porto Rico, and. perhaps. open the way
for an invasion and occupatino OF the ISL
land by United States forces. it becomes
bot important and interesting to know
what is the temper OF the inhabitants to-
wards such q movement A prominent
and well informed member of the Porto
Rican colony here said today:
II was born on the island. as was my
father before me, OF pure Spanish blood.
1 was educated in the United States: have
since been engaged in business with Porto
Rico. first as the representative OF house
in this city. and next upon my own ac-
count am therefore. through birth and
early utilization familiar with the condi-
ton and sentiment of the typical Porto
Rican, and constant travelling from one
end of the island 10 the other since en-
gagged in business-particularly at Che
time 1 represented the firm In this city
has given me an extensive and accurate
knowledge of the opinion of the people as
a whole Hence I feel that I speak with
some authority when 1 say that the occu-
patton Of the island by the United States
VIII be welcomed by the great majority
OF the Porto Ricans as a deliverance,
that thousands of them will take up arms
to overthrow Spanish Dominion, that when
this is accomplished they will ask for an
nexation to the United States, and that
a large preponderance of those who did
not join IN this request will acquisce in
It, and within a short time haveaIl the
zeal OF onvers.
To-day there are IN Porto Rico tree po-
continuance Of theold regime Of absolute
Spanish domination and oppression, sep
artists, and annexationists. There are no
autonomists. In the Spanish element
there are those who still pretend to &C
cept autonomy, because the attitude is
deemed still polite. not Withstanding that
autonomy had failed to prevent American
Among those who are now
uncompromising annexationists or separ-
lists, are found those who are autonomists
upon the chance that Spain really meant
to give genuine self-government. OF
these, the annexationists form the larger
number, for they preferred autonomy. if
real, to the hazard revolution, and espec-
tally what might follow successful rev.
failure in government
which has pursued many Latin-American
peoples. 1 wasone of such autonOmists;
now with the rest, I am heart and sol
for annexation. There was thus, l say.
for the moment autonomists among those
who are now out-and-out separatists and
they hoped against hope
that Spain had at last learned a lesson
IN modern government and would be hence
forth enlightened enough 10 let Porto Rico
its own affairs, under the crown
indeed, but with a freedom equal to that
Of Canada They were inoredulous and
sceptical; they knew Spain. and the Span
shr spirit, and the worth Of Spanish
promises; they had an acute recollection
Of the reform of the seventies. when
Porto Rico was advanced from colony
to province of Spain. and an insular par
lament was instituted.
That incident is wortht recalling. for
il dweus vividly in the memory Of every
Porto Rican The insular chamber was
nailed with joy and enthusiasm as the
narbinger and palladium OF liberty and
prosperity. II assembled 10 welcome with
lue gratitude and respect the first COVER
nor general of the newly constituted prov
nee. Enter Captain General Laureano
saenz with troops at his back. You are
. nest Of conspirators. he cries One Of
he astonished deputies attempts pro-
est. Not aword shouts the governor gen
.ral; know that you are conspirators
and traitors; you are deposed-' They are
Iriven out and men named by Saenz.
ools OF the Spanish Gesp0tism. take the
-acant places. Nevertheless, the autouO-
nists OF a few months ago were willing
o accept SPANS conversion. If such could
,e. But they were prepared 20 find carried
rIt. as the reforms Of the seventies.
hhe fair promise Of true autonomy. and
WIEN they discovered that the election
+ the 9th Of March. this year. was
mere farce-an election at which Spanish /
,ower both distated the nominees and /
.ountd the ballots with this. the scales /
ell from their eyes for ever. and II would |
n tn future be impossible for Spain to I
onvince the native people Of the island /
=. for that matter. the Spanish people. /
at.her-hat any promise OF liberty was /
!ncere.
The notion % Porto Rican loyalty 70 4
pain. 80 far as It may have existed. 4
as arisen from the fact that such pro-
.panish sentiment as there Is 70 be found 4
long the IittoraL The farther from the
hore you 60. the more prevalent the
uti-Spanish feeling. II San Juan there
no doubt very large Spanish element }
Though even there = seems . > larger
han x IL. since the Circumstances Of
many men employed by the government
? the municipality force them 10 dis
use their real sediments. and 50 appear
0 Re loyal Spaniaris. J am satisfied
Rat even IN San Juan a, least bali q SIS
airty odd Thousand population would BE-
lad TO see an American occupation. \
aiding merchant q that place. writing
. me under date April Il, describes the
.tuaton IS follows,
War at orr doors: general discomfort
Z the Interior caused - sae frauds IN ;he
lection. and tire bankrupcy 20 watch Ne
-e surely going With taese eEa Egsrates
1tes q exchange Ci1o pe- cent?
And - ad5s. despe-t tely- 4 :rust.
9xeve-. fn q favorable eazuge on 6ay
q VERY tar oss-ctl4zEs EEs-a wlu cos;
vers q hloed, bgt 1h4ca a. re e5a ~
sarge gur commerce ard raise ta5s poor
lard FROM TIRE estate q poverty 70
A5ch 81 has been brought ~ aas gov-
!, fnent ard uls--sla
The spznlsA isiaaa q Pa-ts gfeo Ees
sxeatias niles east q HzEfa ard Sc
-se smaller Than 1arze5ea- tef-g thirty
ve miles broad sz8 asasty-s.Te nasEfs