The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-17
PROBLEMS IN PORTO RICO.
Task of Americanizing the Island
May Be Difficult.

May BE Difficult.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.
SAN JUAN DE PUERTO RICO, Sept T.
The American commissioners appointed to
arrange the terms of evacuation of this ISL
and may encounter many problems difficult
of solution, it is the general impression
here now that the Spanish commissioners,
despite the professed anxiety of some of the
highest Spanish officials to dispatch this
work and reinquish control as soon as pos
sible, will exercise their skill to secure every
advantage They are adopts at this kind of
fencing and will get under our guard if such
a thing is possible. While it is likely that
General Brooke may have virtual control
of this city within few weeks it may be
some time longer before the last vestige of
Spanish authority is removed. In fact our
commissioners now appear convinced that
they will not be able to complete their work
inside of five six weeks.
Just how the commission will proceed it
will be impossible to guess until the two
sets of commissioners meet. Their instruc-
tons are known only to themselves. Their
functions are purely military and would
seem to be limited. under the terms of the
protocol, to arranging the details of evacua-
ton and the transfer of all Spanish govern
blush this would seem a simple operation
necessitating only an inventory of the
government property on the island as dis
tinguished from the property of the
provinces, the municipalities and towns, it's
transfer to the United States and the de-
parture Of the Spanish troops. But it is in
timated that the Spanish authorities, posi-
bly, for their government. but more proba-
fov~
out of the wreck. just how they expect to
do this passes comprehension, but those who
are in the counsels of the past assert that
they will be able to do so. The cession of
the island to the United States carries with
it all public property, Notifications. build
ings, lands, etc.; but there is an intimation
that the Spanish will demand compensation
for guns mounted in Notifications. if these
are 70 remain, and in a lazy sort of way for
other things.
1t is pretty safe to assume that the in
structions of our commissioners hold them
strictly TO the text of the protocol and that
any claim made by Spain must go to the
the instructions the Spanish commissioners
will receive-or have received-they can of
course raise any questions they desire. 1t is
with the evacuation our commissioners have
to do. Whatever is left will be turned over
to the American authorities. The eXamina-
ton of government titles will be laborious
ment property, Notifications, buildings, rail-
roads and telegraphs, the Spanish govern
ment owns, or did own some buildings used
as residences of officials, semi-public prop
erty, and considerable amount of crown
land. Some of this land is situated in San
Juan and is very valuable. There are tracts
in other parts of the island. Should it be
foundsin the future that any of this property
has been sequestrated or decided recently to
private individuals the deeds might be ques-
toned; but these would probably be matters
for the courts or for some civil commission
to adjust later
When the island passes under civil admin
1straticn 1t would be possible for the gov
eminent of the United States to create quite
a school fund for the people of the island
by the sale OF the lands now owned by the
government. And if Congress should decide
that 1t was eXpedient to continue the own
ership Of the railroads and telegraphs,
these, If not sold to the highest bidder
could also be turned over to the territorial
government.
United States Consul Hanna, who left the
Island when war was declared, and who
since the landing of our army at Ponce.
has been there, has returned to the con-
omist scheme for Porto Rico was inaugu-
rated by General Macias, and he is a firm
believer in the ability of the people here
to govern themselves. Although the au-
tonomy granted was delusion and snare.
in that the government of Spain retained
the balance of power, he says the people,
at the only election held, displayed the
greatest interest as we'll as intelligence. The
election was as quiet and orderly as one
III tire ClutSQ STATES. line Only session OF
the autonomist legislature was held on July
is. 1t simply met, and, under the influence
of the Spanish authorities, voted a war
credit. With an equitable system of taxa
ton in which all shared alike the condi-
ton Of the people here must inevitably i'm
prove rapidly. The taxes raised 10 support
the military and civil establishments of the
island. with the enormous corruption Incl
dental TO Spanish administration every
where, We're even more oppressive than
they would have been had they been levied
equitably. But it was notorious that Span
iards having influence paid little. while 9TH
ers, with an equal amount of taxable prop
erty, were oppressed in some cases almost
10 the point of confscaton. native Porto
Rcan who owas large sugar plantation
on the south side of the island has for years
been compelled to pay from $1,000 to $40 coo
in taxes. while Spaniard with a largeR
plantation adjoining has paid less than 81
0V. But the most oppressive taxes are
those WrunS from industry. Licenses must
be paid III order to work; licenses to sell
the products of labor and licenses to buy.
The markets here which should be filled
with vegetables and fruit are almost a
waste of stalls because OF the inability of
the truck farmers to pay the licenses neces-
sary TO enable them to get their products to
market.