The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-20
PORTO RICO
NEEDS POLICE
The Native Forces are incapable Of
Coping With the LawIess Element
ARE AFRAID OF THE AMERICANS
ono Drunken Sailor Can Put Squad
of Them 90 Flight-Cavalry Patrols
Are Badly Needed in the
Rural Districts.

(Corrcsnondence o. the Associated Press)
SAN JUAN DE PORTO RICO. Nov o.
Occasionally there are striking examples
Of the nervousness and unsettled condi-
lion of the people of this city. Nneh
TIE Americans took possession or san
Juan they retained two city organ "a
tons for the preservation or peace ana
order They were the municipal pollce'
men On uniform and armed with swords
revolvers and rifles ana the body known
simply as police. who go about ia ciu-
zou's clothes and carry small c.uo
There has been no provost guard in san
JUAN There are American sontrles at
certain public buildings as guard to
the property, but this is all.
1t was often said the city needed an
American military police 10 control th-
soldiers themselves. and in the days Wneu
tho regiments were landing and embark
ing at this port the truth Of this state
ment was realized. But no men haF-
been landed here Tor some time an.
there has been little abuse or disorder
among the soldiers quartered In the town
thlt has not been controlled by the na-
tive policemen OF the capital. Still there
exists "A feeling of unsafety among ceI-
tain closes. and It Is "a fact that We
mon OF the better class 80 upon the
street as little as possible. and then ony
with male escort. They have heard ot
dis1rdar.y soldiers in Ponce. they remem-
bees tine b0.sterOls behavior OF certa n
of our regiments as they passed through
The city and they consider IL wise TO oe
very careful
one night last week a sailor from the
collier Caesar stole from a cafe pewter
sugar bowl The native police followed
and attempted 90 arrest him. The sailor
was drunk. and these facts are always
sufficient % commence a general row
and much excitement.
AFRAID or AMERICANS.
When the American soldier or sailor
"a intoxicated nothing IS more insulting
o. his American honor than for a Porto
Rican policeman 10 in any way interfere
with his actions. The police are not inn
posing They are small men. and have
several times shown themselves afraid
OF the Americans. and the average
brawny soldier is a match f0r any three
of them And the soldier can always
count on the active help Of every other
ono Of his comrades who happen 20 be
on the street at the time. The local po-
lice can take care OF the law-breaking
Porto Rican with more or less success,
but their efforts % control the dsorderly
American have almost always ended in
trouble that would be averted II provost
guard were maintained whose duties were
confined 10 keeping order among our
soldiers and sailors.
HIT HIM AND RAN.
Several policemen Joined in the effort
10 arrest the man with the sugar bowl.
previously mentioned but his friends had
gathered about him. and the task clearly
had its difficulties. At length an active
policeman saw his chance and brought
hls club down hard on the drunken sail
ors head, making a bad wound. Imme-
dlately after performing this feat the
policeman ran for dear life, and was
soon lost 10 sight up a dark alley.
1t was about o'clock In the evening,
and the streets We're filled with people
The excitement grew quickly the mayor
was called out and the police went for
their rifles and attempted 10 dispense the
crowd. Doors Of houses and stores were
noisliy slammed and barred all over
town. and these disturbing sounds always
work on a. crowds nerves. People did
not know what 20 expect, and the tension
might have given way 10 some hystericaI
action. At this juncture. however six
American soldiers arrived from the
Palace. They quickly scattered the
crowd and In an hour the streets had re-
sumed their normal appearance.
PROVOST GUARD NEEDED.
There have been several similar IN
stances recently, and the demand for
provost guard, which would nip the
origin OF such trouble in the bud, has
been very general
Reports concerning the disorders IN the
interior OF the island have pointed toward
their diminution The Arscibe district.