New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-27
EASY-GOING PORTO RICO,
THE APPROACHING CHANGES SEEM To
CAUSE HER LITTLE CONCERN


[rroM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRrRuNEl
San JlIan. Porto Rico Sept 1.-THE spanish
Army offcials here view with competency that
IS smos, amazing the prospective change in the
affairs Of this island so long known as one OF
SPANS richest and most beautiful possessions NO
murmur is heard about the result OF the war no
complaint s ade about the terms of the protocol
Their one desire seems m he 10 get back TO SPAN
in as little time as possible. They aokno"lense
this fact and none Of them. especially those VINO
are high in authority. have any hesitancy IN glNns
expression n their sentiments.
One Of the highest officials connected with me
Governor Generals palace. in the course nj re-
cent conversation said 70 The Tribune correspond
emf that he and his superors we're anxiousN
awaiting the closing Of the terms of the evacua-
tion When pressed ~ his reason for making
such an assertion he replied We want 10 20
home Our Government says that We shall deliver
the island 70 the Americans and We abide by that
decision In 4 way It looks hard ~ have 70 give
up Porto Rico bur consider it merely as one Of
the fortunes of war We will show the American
people that ne can accept fate Ike brave
FEELING OF THE ENLISTED MEN
rhese words reflect the sentiments ~ the officers
as a rule but they inadequate as an expires
sion Of the feelings IF the enlisted men VINO are
heartily tired Of the island and its people Be-
there is little love lost and it seems but natural
that the soldiers should desire IN get to country
where they will meet with sympathy
With the oiher resident Spsnisrds II is different
As a rule those who in business look forward
IN the evacuation Of the island as the beginning
81 new era in trade They realize that thev viii
have new conditions thrust upon them. they know
that Americans will come into competition with
them. and they can toresee the inevitable result
90 they are not enthusiastic over the prospect
The advance NJ hmericanism among the Porto
Ficsns means that Spanish merchants will he bow
cotted-indeed some ~ them are already under The
ban because NJ their nationality Tho Porto
Ricans after centuries ~ misgovernno"rf feel that
they nov have chance 70 retabatA upon their o.
nrsssor. and they will ID II a. the expense NJ The
tradesmen.
4 LIGHT HEARTED PEOPLE
On the outside there is rttle ~ be noticed in The
APPEARANCE or actions ~ the residents ~ this city
which would Indicate that they realize the i'm
por-arcA ~ the next step IN Porto Ricos history
Entertainments which were stopped while the war
uae on have heon resumed. and the social ~nir' Is
uhirling much as T. ever Vas In the evenings
those who have nothing else 10 do meet IN the
Plaza Alfonso Doce and chat Will" they walk M
and down the pavement or listen 20 the music Of
one NJ N. military bands which give concerts
,r,-. . week on these occasions the sight In the
rla,a is an unusually attractive on" Military or
Actrs u.i,h sabre. clanking noisly AZ their heeis
are present nv the score. and dozen. ~ pretty
Spanish women. uell gowned and apparently con
ten, with their lot pas. NJ and down through the
,hronr ohsttinz and laughing as merrily as " war
were q word moi In their vocabulary
The immersion these people 50 ight-hHartNd IN
thu face ~ adversely. create upon AmHricsns IN
the. cfr,. IL ,h.' thew are without suhcient nep'n
N appreciate the magnitude ~ tho change 80 soon
~ 20 into effect. Their actions ere 80 different
70 lead suppose that half. AZ least. ~ san
Juan - glad that the change Is N come
An Anericannsval orcer sitting In The plaza ~
the last concert and observing the prevalent hsht-
hear,edness said How differently Americans
would TAX. thi, change We are supposed N ne
cold biood.d people. ss rule but III venture 70
cav tha, Their. IS not city IN th- Tniied states
uh.re under III same conditions. ~ would he pos
.,h,. - 'onA such general nneoncerr We would go
around v,rappAd IN gloom. and m cure II wouidn
be safe for Spariarf - show his race IN gen
eraI assembiase like this With these people II may
h. Alteration but heevs mat they are realy 80
volatile tina, they can't srssr ne iiea that they
are soon 10 become part ~ another country VI
course II will make our task easier Win 'nose VINO
r.main but Z, looks strange - Ne now
Another phase ~ this peculiar condition is me
oourtesv with which tho Spanish ofhcers trea' inc
few American ofcsrs whom 'h"v meet IN m" streets
=, IN N. cafA. II =. the rule not the exception.
nav and ~ nv chance the American can speak
snsn,sh h. 10 we'll treated and frequently invited
N take refreshments Those Americans VINO nave
talked With Spanish officers say mat more 'rn
m. slightest hard feeling toward IN" oonGn"rors
apparent in their conversation. ON IN" contrary
they .reak well ~ the bravery ~ the American
,roops both on This island and in cuba though &C.
o,s,onsllv one will NJ found who viii insist mat
the Spsniards would have won In Porto Fi'o " IN"
campaign had resulted In decisiv" engagement