Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-10-20
The Stars and Stripes Raised Over
the Island Yesterday.
The QUESTION OF citizenship.
International Law May Perhaps Confer
American Citizenship Upon the
Porto Ricxns-The spAniards
In Cuba Must Go.

unmarried by disorder OF any kind
The Eleventh regular infantry, with
two batteries of the Fifth artillery
landed in the morning. The latter
proceeded to the forts, while the In
fantry lined up on the docks. 1t was
q holiday for San Juan, and there
were many people in the streets. Rear
Admiral Schley and Gen. Gordon, &C.
companied by their staffs proceeded
to the palace in carriages. The
Eleventh infantry regiment and band,
with troop II, Of the Sixth United
States cavalry, then marched through
the streets and formed In the square
opposite the palace At ll:4O a. m.
Gen. Brooke, Admiral Schley and Gen.
Gordon, the United States evacuation
commissioners, came out Of the palace
with many naval officers and form med
on the right side Of the square. The
streets behind the soldiers were
thronged with townspeople, who stood
waiting in dead silence.
At last the city clock struck the
hour Of II, and the crowds, almost
breathless and with eyes fixed upon
the fsgpole, watched for develop.
mentA AT the sound Of the first gun
from Fort Moro, Maj Dean and
Lieut. Castle, OF Gen. Brooke's staff,
hoisted the stars and stripes while
the band played the "Star Spangled
Banner" All heads were barred and
the crowds cheered. Fort Moro, Fort
San Cristobal and the United States
revenue cutter Manning, lying In the
harbor, fired 81 guns each. Congratu.
lations and handshaking among the
American officers followed. Ensign
King hoisted the stars and stripes on
the Intendencia, but all other flags on
the various public buildings were
hoisted by military officers. Stimuli.
taneously with the raising Of the flag
over the captain generals palace,
many others were hoisted in different
parts Of the city
The work Of the United States evac-
nation commission Is now over and all
the reports will be forwarded to Wash.
ington on Thursday next The labors
Of both parties have terminated with
honors for all concerned. The Ameri.
can commissioners worked without
the least delay and in the most thor.
ough and effective manner.
THE QUESTION OF CITIZENSHIP.
Washington, Oct l0.-The United
States is now formally In possession
Of the island Of Porto Rico as sover.
eign. The war department has re.
ceived the following:
San Juan Porto Rico, Oct lS-secretary Of
War, Washington: Flags have been raised on
public buildings and forts In this city and sa-
luted with national salutes The occupation
Of the island Is now complete. Brooke
In view Of the fact that at noon yes.
terday, with the acquisition Of Porto
Rico by the United States about $780,.
600 inhabitants Of that island lost
their Spanish citizenship the question
o. to what shall become Of these peo-
pie politically becomes Of Importance
Madrid advlces report that leading
citizens In Porto Rico have already
taken steps to become natural
lied as United States citizens.
This Is an error, for existing
laws provide no way in which this
change Of citizenship can be effected
by the residents OF the island. There
Is no United States court there before
which declaration of intention can
be filed and in fact no machinery at
all which can be put in motion to
change citizenship, Inquiry into this
subject ut the state department dis
closes the fact that It has been usual
to provide bodily transfer Of the
citizenship Of people conditioned Us
those In Porto Rico, in the treaty of
peace which terminates war. 1t may
be prudent for the commission at
Paris to avoid any reference to
Porto Rico again, in which case
congress will be called upon by the
president TO confer citizenship upon
the Porto Ricans in the same act as
that which must be passed to provide
stable form Of government for the
island. Should either Of these courses
be found impracticable, however, 1t is
said at the department that interna.
tional law In Its operation would con.
fer American citizenship upon these
Porto Ricans, the general principle
being that, where a treaty Of cession
Is silent upon the subject, citizenship
-h..ras with the soil Il Tie case Of
int acquisition OF new mexico, the
residents OF the territory were given
American citizenship by specific pro-
vision Of the treaty.
A sPANlARDs IN CUBA MUST CO.
Havana, Oct 10. A conference last.
ing three hours was held yesterday
morning between Gen. Wade, Gen.
Butler and Admiral Sampson as to the
contents Of the five official notes de-
livered to the American commissioners
Monday by the Spanish evacuation
commission. The Spaniards claim
that 1t would be practically impossible
to effect evacuation in the short period
Of time fixed by the Americans. They
insist that the sovereignty of Spain
will continue until the final treaty of
peace is signed in Paris. In reply
Admiral Sampson personally dictated
. brief note, stating emphatcally that
December would positively be the
4 II