The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-18
COURTESY OF sPANIARps.

How the American Commissioners
Were Greeted at San Juan.
Correspondence of the Associated Press. Copy
righted.)
SAN JUAN, Island of Porto Rico Sept.
6--The quieting influence of the American
conquest of Porto Rico was felt here last
at the capital, where the unconquered, but
morally defeated, Spanish army, with ev-
cry outpost driven in, is now being con-
centrated preparatory to the final evacua-
ton and REIMBURSEMENT of the island. The
natives who secretly sympathized with the
invaders, and who would have hailed with
delight this deliverance from oppression
and misrule were overawed by the pres
ence of the Spanish authority, to which
they have bowed so long. During the three
weeks since they have known that the
terms of peace gave Porto Rico to the
UnitedaStates they have not dared to ex-
hibit their satisfaction. Secretly many of
them began the study of the language of
their deliverers, but English was a tabooed
language.
An Englishman who entered the city two
days after the peace protocol was signed,
and who knew no Spanish, could find no in
terpreter. in fact. could find no one who
professed a knowledge of English save her
Majesty's consul But with the arrival of
General Brooke. Rear Admiral Schley and
General Gordon, the whole atmosphere
changed. Every native Porto Rican who
understood word of English, sought out
the Americans, who came in the train of
the commissioners and lavished an English
word or a broken sentence them with an
air of pride such as one would If he were
displaying some priceless heritage. Their
fear and dread of the Spanish soldiers in
the streets and Spanish officers in the ho-
tells and cafes disappeared at the sight of
the American uniform. They felt that
there had already been thrown around them
the protecting aegis of the United States,
although the Spanish flag still flew from
MORO Castle. and the evidences of Spanish
authority still confronted them on every
hand.
It must be said to the credit Of the Span
fards that as far as known there has not
been single instance where they have
undertaken to arrest or punish these dis
plays of pro-American feeling, which but
few weeks ago would have sent the offenders
to prison perhaps a worse fate. This is
the more remarkable, inasmuch as the city
is full of Spanish soldiers. who show on
their faces the deep resentment they feel,
and some of the natives seem to delight in
making their exhibition as provoking as
possible. But thus far they have held their
temper. The officers and the higher Of
ficials feel their humiliating position keenly,
although they try to deceive themselves
with the boast that Porto Rico was sur
rendered, not conquered, and that their
honor is unsullied. 1t is not strange they
should yield control of the island with re-
luctance, for. to the officers of the minor
rank, service here means double salary,
house rent, subsistence at the expense of
the province, and to the higher officials,
military and civil, enormous salaries, posi-
ton and opportunity, which, in the major
ity of instances, is the equivalent of wealth.
But. despite their chagrin. the Spanish
officials have been scrupulously, indeed
punctiliously, polite in their attitude toward
the American officers. When the New Or
leans first entered the harbor a week ago
salutes and formal visits We're exchanged
Immediately. When our officers came ashore
they made il a point when they met Spanish
onicers on the street to salute them, even
though in many cases they knew they out
ranked those TO WHOM, they showed this
courtesy, naval etiquette the world over re-
curing the subordinate officer to salute him
who outranks him. Ii was bit OF courtesy
which took something from the sting of de-
feat and relieved the tension. That it was
appreciated by the vanquished was evident
by the spontaneous heartiness with which
the salutes were returned.
When Admiral Schley reached here the
Spanish gunboat Isabel III replied to the
adnirals salute as his doubIe-starred pen
nant was raised on the New Orleans, and
the admiral ordered the Spanish flag hauled
to the peak and saluted. The official ex-
change Of visits followed the arrival of the
peace commissioners with almost mathe-
NAUTICAL precision. The brigadier OF marine,
Commodore Valiarino, called on Admiral
Schley as the etiquette of the occasion re-
quired, VaIlarino being Schley's inferior in
rank. and this visit the American admiral
returned the next morning
Major General Brooke and Admiral Schley
O. the highest military and naval officers
on the afternoon of their arrival, proceeded
TO the palace, accompanied by their re-
spective STATS. and paid their respects to
the captain general. who is a lieutenant
general IN the Spanish army. Admiral
Schley with his personal staff Lieutenants
Sears and Wells, were arrayed In full uni
form at the hotel when General Brooke
with General Sheridan. his chief of staff
Colonel Richards his adjutant general. Mai.
Carson. Major Hunter Colonel Gothal and
the remainder Of his staff. drove up to join
them. Then II was. discovered that General
Brooke and staff were In fatigue uniform.
Their dress uniforms they had left behind
when they started into the field. AS II
would have been manifest impropriety,
under the circumstances. for the admiral
and his STAFF to wear full dress, they donned
satigue1. The party were driven to the