The National tribune., 1898-10-27
THE HMERLCAN EMPIRE.
Happenings in the Islands beyond the
Seas.

Promptly at II o'clock. on Tuesday, Oct
IS, Gen. Brooke had the Star Spangled
Banner raised over the MORO Castle, San
Juan de Porto Rico, and this was followed
by raising the flag over the public build
ings all over the island. The occasion
was made a holiday, and the Porto Ricans
turned out en- maSSe to witness the cere-
mony. There was much enthusiasm DIS
/ played everywhere. The 11th u. S.. Troop
III, 9th L. 5. Cav, and two batteries OF the
5th u. S. Cav, accompanied by the fine
band of the 11th L. S., occupied San Juan
early in the morning, and formed in front
of the palace. AS the city clock struck
the hour of II battery began National
Gen. Brooke's staff, hoisted the flag, the
band played the Star Spangied Banner.
| all heads were barred, and the guns OF
MORO Castle, Fort San Cristobal, and the
vessels in the harbor began firing Ma
! tionai salute Congratulations and general
handshaking followed. The whole cere-
mony was dignified and impressive and
| unmarried by disorder Of any kind.
THE PHILIPPINES.
There was a report from Spanish sources
of Il battle between Admiral DeWcy'S
forces and the inSurg mt vessels, in
which number of the latter were sunk.
This is not believed at the State or Navy
Departments, which say that the oniy y
foundation for it is that Admiral Dewey is
capturing the insurgent vessels as fast as
they come into port, and has prohibited
the flying of the insurgent flag on the
water.
Under date of Oct. 10, Mai.-Gcn. Otis
cabIed the War Department:
Situation in Lu2on som ewhat improved
Influence of Filipinos of education ard
property not desiring independent Govern
ment, but hostile 10 Spain, gaining ascend
ancy in revolutionary councils. Promising
nothing, hut enforcing the law. Complica-
~ L., It,fa -iS1.. md snr1 l.
merce and diminish revenue. Affairs
progressing favo-ably, though sick-rcrort
increa sing, owing mostly to carelcssness
Of enlisted men. Healt, OF officers good
Condition Of city and facilities for quarter
inc troops improving. Fever decreasing.
Intestinal troubles about the same Many
Sigh. ailments; smallpox apparently ar
rested ID ring the month 70 deaths-elght
smallpox, eight tyr held fever, five nalarial
and four intestinal complaints; three accI-
dental"
Vey astonisilingIy, vote taken in the
Filiaino Congress showed nearly seven
out of every eight in favor of annexation
to the United States.
Ia does rot suit Aguinaldo, who ins: SITS
on complete independence, ard that the
only thing the Americans had to 10 in the
Islands was 10 defeat the SEaniards ard
then W. .thdTaw. He says the advocates CT
annexation are insncere, and only trying
to draw out the American views and IN
tentIolS.
PORTO RICO
There is sens 6issa. isiaction over the
retention by Gen. Brooke of u number cf
Spanish officials, holding important
places, but the General is convinced that
they are the best men for the places, until
Con yre5s shall provide for the Government
of the island. The Gereral Is trying TO
keep down the local partisan spirit in the
island as long as il is under military rule
saIi L. St Of
arI.lv has sailed for home. There remain
o aly = few eff ice.s, who have private busi-
ness to attend TO-
Taera is great deal of trouble over the
monetary system. Nearly ali the money
in circulation are Spanish silver pesos, |
worth nom nally 1913 cents. The orders
were that the rate Of exchange should be
two for one in American money, but this
was SO far from the commercial rate that 1t
failed to give satisfaction. The pesos are
being gathered up and shipped back to
Spain.
The oath Of allegiance to the United |
States has been taken by five Judges of
the Superior Court of Porto Rico, who
later will administer the same oath TO
their subordinates. Spanish judges who
do not desire to forswear their allegiance to
Spain will be returned to the peninsula.
The per centage of sick among our
troops in the island Is very small.
CUBA.
There was wild rumor that Capt.-Gen.
Blanco had organized conspiracy to de-
clare Cuba free and independent, and set
up Government supported by the Span
ish troops in the island, and secure its
recognition by Mexico and other Spanish
American countries Washington officialS'l
Ironouncc the story utterly incredibl3.
BIG. Gen. Leonard Wood, Military
Governor of Saptiago, has issued Il most 4
important proclamation, which fore-I
shadows the fundamental principles of
the Government which will be established
Iii over the island.
The first article guarantees to the peo
pie the right OF assembly for the co mon
good and to apply to those in power, by
petition or remonstrance, for the redress
OF grievances.
The second section guarantees the rigllt
TO worship God according to individual
conscience, provided therc is no interfer
encc with any existing form of worship.
The third section directs that courts OF
Justice shall be open to all, and that no
private property shall be trIsen> by the
Government without compensation.
The fourth section, dealing with c-iIni-
nal trials, invests the accused with the
right 10 be head himself or by counsel,
and to have compulsory process to secure
the attendance Of a witness in his be-
half.
The fifth section says no person accused
of or ne shall be compelled to give evidence
against himself. .t
The sixth section declares that no such
person, who is once acquitted of the
charge brought against him, shall be tried
again for the same offense.
The seventh section provides hat all
persons charged with crime shall be en-
titled to ball. except in. cases of capital
offense, and that the writ of lrabeas corpus
may not be suspended, except the Com
manding General OF the Department deems
it advisable
The eighth section says that excessive
bail shall not lie required, and that no
excessive fine nor cruel or unusual pun
ishment shall be inflicted.
The ninth section provides that in order
to secure the people against unreasonable
search. there shall first be established
under oath a presumption Of guilt.
The tenth section guarantees to all the
right to write or print freely on any matter
subject to responsibility for abuse of the
right.
The municipal laws are to be admins