Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-10-19
IT'S ALL OUR OWN
Gen. Brooke Hosts American
Flag Over Porto Rico.
The Question Of Naturalization 70 Be
Decided BY Congress.
Hoped that High Tide Of Spanish 0ppssiliea
HAS Bsen Reached.

Washington. D. c., Oct 1S.-The
United States is now formally in pos
session Of the island Of Porto Rico as
sovereign The war department has
received the following:
San Juan, Porto Rico, Oct. Is.
To Secretary Of War, Washington:
Flags have been raised on public
buildings and forts in this city and
saluted with national salutes. The oc-
cupation of the island is now COM
plete.
BROOKE, Chairman.
This governments assumption Of
sovereignty over Porto Rico at noon
today was the subject Of an eloquent
prayer at the religious services of the
Episcopal convention, the bishops and
deputies having directed that suitable
reference be made to this national
event. The prayer was prepared by
Bishop Satterlee Of Washington, and
was as follows:
"Oh. God. Whose providence orders
all things in heaven and on earth. and
whose will controlleth the issues and
events of the life of nations, we ac-
knowledge Thy goodness which has
guided and blessed the counsels and
arms OF our nation to the relief of an
oppressed people and the victories OF
peace. Guard us from all sins Of self
seeking and vain glory.
Fill us with the spirit Of wisdom and
of Thy holy fear. Humble us under
the burden of the new duties with
which our government is charged.
Strengthen the hands and sanctify the
hearts OF those upon whom must come
the solemn decisions of this hour and
in the new countries and among the
nations to which on this day and .from
this day our rule is to extend.
Grant us grace to establish upon the
best and surest foundation the sover- =
eighty of good government, true lib
erty, justice and love. that. seeking In
all things to do Thy will, we may be
the instruments of Thy glory through
Jesus Christ. our Lord. Amen.
In view of the fact that at noon to-
day, with the acquisition of the island
of Porto Rico by the United States,
about 100000 Inhabitants. of that Is
land lose their Spanish citizenship.
the question as to what shall become.
of these people politically becomes Of
Importance. Madrid advices report
that leading citizens in Porto Rico
heANC hiicduy tdhen steps 10 become
naturalized at United States citizens.
This is an error, for existing law pro-
vides no way in which this change Of
citizenship can be effected by the resi-
dents of the island
Inquiry into this subject at the state
department discloses the fact that
Congress will probably be called upon
by the President to confer citizenship
upon the Porto Ricans in the same act
as that which must be passed to pro-
vide stable form of government for
the island.
1t is hoped, though hardly expected,
by the officials here that yesterdays
proceedings before the peace cominis-
sion at Paris marked the high tide OF
Spanish opposition and that from now
on the Spanish commissioners will re-
tire gradually from their extreme po-
sition. The opinion prevails that the
anlmating purpose of the Spanfards is
to work upon the sympathies Of other,
European nations while appealing to
the interests not only of the holders of
Cuban bonds. but also to the holders
OF purely Spanish securities which
would be affected by sympathy. The
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