The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-18
N BROKEN English
Porto RiCan Natives Welcome
the Americans.
NO EFFORT is SPARED
BY Naval officers TO ConCiIiate
CaStiIianS.

Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.)
San Juan, Island of Porto Rico, Sept 6.
Correspondence Of the Associated Press
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
every outpost driven in, is now being con-
centrated preparatory to the final evac-
uation and relinquishment 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 over-awed
by the presence Of the Spanish authority
TO which they have bowed so long. Dur
ing the three weeks since they have
known that the terms of peace gave Porto
Rico to the United States they have not
dared to exhibit their satisfaction. Sc
cretly many of them began the study of
the language of their deliverers, but Eng
lish was a tabooed language.
An English gentleman who entered the
city two days after the peace protocol
was signed and who knew no Spanish,
could find no interpreter, in fact, could
find no one who possessed q. knowledge of
English, save her majestys consul.
But with the arrival of the American
evacuation commissioners, General Brooke
Rear Admiral Schley and General Cor
don, the whole atmosphere changed Ev-
N
a word of English sought out the Ameri-
cans who came in the train of the com
lnissioners and lavished an English word
or a broken sentence upon them with an
air of pride such as one would if he were
displaying some priceless heritage.
Their fear and dread of the Spanish SOL
diers in the streets, the Spanish officers
in the hotels and cafes disappeared at
the sight Of the American uniforms They
felt that there had already been thrown
about them the protecting aegis of the
United States, although the Spanish flag
still flew from MORO castle and the evil
dences of Spanish authority still confront
ed them on every side.
It must be said to the credit Of the Span
iards that as far as known there has not
Oten Il SllS lc lllSloIlCC HAAC4t my @4eA'
undertook to arrest OF punish these dis
plays of pro-American feeling, which but
few weeks ago would have instantly
sent the offenders TO prison or 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 officials feel their
hurnaiating position keenly although they
try to deceive themselves with the boast
that Porto Rico was surrendered, not con-
ouered. and that their honor is unsullled.
1t is not strange that they should yield
control of the island with reluctance. for
TO the officers of minor rank service here
means double salary, house rent, subsist-
ence at the expense of the province; and'
TO the high officials, military and CIVIL
enormous salaries, position and opportunl-
ty. which, in the majority of instances IS
the equivalent of wealth
Rut despite their chagrin the Spanish Of
fcials have been scrupulously. indeed,
punctiiously. polite in their attitude TO-
ward the American Officers. When the
New Orleans first entered the haroor a
week ago. salutes and visits were ex-
changed Immediately
When our officers came ashore they made
I. 4 point when they met Spanish officers
or the street to salute them first, even
though in many cases they knew they out
ranked those to whom they showed this
courtesy naval etiquette the world over
recurring the subordinate officer to first
salute him who outranks him. It was a
hit of courtesy which took something from
the sting of defeat and relieved the ten
sion.
That It was appreciated by the van
ouished was evident by the spontaneous
heartiness with which the salutes were
returned. When Admiral Schley reached
here on the Seneca and the Spanish gun
boat Isabel II replied to the admiral's
salute rs his double-starred pennant was
raised on the New Orleans. the admiral
ordered the Spanish flag hauled to the
peak and saluted.
The official exchange followed the arri-
val Of the peace commissioners with al
most mathematical precision. The briga-
der Of marine, Commodore Valarino.
called upon Admiral Schley, as the eti-
quette Of the occasion required. Vallarino
being Schley's inferior in rank. and this
visit the American admiral returned the
next morning.
Major General Brooke and Admiral
Schley as the highest military and naval
officers on the afternoon OF their arrival
proceeded 10 the palace. accompanied by
their respective STATS. and paid their re-
spects TO the captain general. who is
lieutenant general in the Spanish army.
Admiral Schley, with his personal STAFF.
Iieutenants Sears and Wells. were arrayed
IN full uniform at the hotel when General
Brooke. with Generals Sheridan. his chief
Of staff: Colonel Richards. his adjutant
general; Major Carson. Major Corby. Colo
rel Hunter Colonel Goothal and the re-
mainder of his stan arrived.
NJ