New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-27
The Daily and Sunday Tribune for out
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OUR NEW ISLAND.

American troops have landed In Porto Rico
That Is one salient feature OF the days news,
and one that bids fair to be OF great permanent
Significance. The landing has been effected
without difficulty, IN accordance with plans
made long ago. The place selected is Guanlca,
near Ponce, the latter one of the chief towns or
the island, lying near the middle of the south
shore 1t presents a striking contrast To the
point Of invasion In Cuba, being as healthfnl as
Santiago is pestilentiai. Its garrison is small
and its Notifications are incopsiderable We
may assume, therefore, that full occupation VIII
be effected with little difficulty, and that the
advance upon San Juan and the conquest OF the
entire island will be accomplished with perhaps
less effort and loss than attended the single
campaign against Santiago.
In one other respect the Porto Rico campaign
will differ from that In Cuba. Native insur-
rents Will not be factor In 1t, either TO aid or
TO embarrass our Army. Discomfort with Span
fish rule and a desire to get rid of IL have long
existed In that island. Probably they as
widespread there as in Cuba But they have
not so often or so strongly manifested tbsm-
sclyes In militant form. There is to-day no or
ganized insurrection, and, however ready the
people may be to cooperate with their dclv-
erers from Spanish tyranny their lack OF organ
ization and Of arms will prevent their effective
action. The contest will therefore be simple
one between our invading army and the small
Spanish garrison, and of its speedy result there
eau scarcely be doubt.
Nor does the campaign differ from that In
Cuba only In technical details. In its great cen
trail motive 1t presents an equal contrast. In
Cuba we are fighting for the Cubans, intending,
unless unlooked-for circumstances compel an
other course, to deliver that island into the
hands Of its own people. for their independent
control and government But In Porto Rico our
dag. once raised, is never, unless In some ex-
traordinary contingency now beyond the bounds
OF practical consideration, to be lowered. The
campaign there is a campaign OF conquest
That fact Is to be frankly recognized Its vim
dication, II any be needed, is ready at hand
The right to dictate indemnity IN war Is not to
be disputed. In taking Porto Rico as partial
payment this country will be dealing with Spain
far more generously than II she were to require
the whole In cash. AS for the people OF Porto
Rico they have no reason to complain. They
must share the fortunes OF their Government.
That is the lot Of war.
This settlement will, we have said, be an easy
one for Spain. There need be no pretence that
Il will not also be an advantageous one for the
United States From every point Of view Porto
Rico will be q desirable possession Its climate
Is probably the best IN all the Antilles. 1t has
several good harbors. Its soil Is singulnrly
productive Its people will impose upon us no
serious difficulties of administration. Above
all its strategic position II Of the greatest posi-
bio value to us. greater even than that Of Cuba
i*self. The island commands the pass from the