The record-union., 1898-09-18
American Influence is Beginning to
Make Itself Felt.
The Whole Atmosphere Has Changed Since
Our Commissioners Arrived.
The Fear and Dread Of the Natives
Disappear at the Sight of an
American Uniform-Porto Ri
cans Can Now Display the Stars
and Stripes without Fear OF
Punishment.
CORRESPONDENCE of Associated Press
Copyrighted 1881

(Correspondence of Associated Press.
Copyrighted 1881
SAN JUAN Qsland of Porto R1co),
September 6.-The quieting influence OF
the American conquest of Porto Rico
is felt here at the capital, where the
unconquered but morally defeated
Spanish army, with every outpost
driven in, is now being concentrated
preparatory to the final evacuation and
REIMBURSEMENT of the island.
The natives, who secretly sympa-
thized with the invaders and who have
hailed with delight this deliverance
from oppression and misrule, were
overawed by the presence of the Span
ish authority to which they have bowed
so long During the three weeks since
they have known that the terms of
peace gave Porto Rico to the United
States, they have not dared to exhibit
their satisfaction. Secretly many of
them began the study of the language
of their deliverers. but English was
tabooed language An English General
who entered the city but two days
after the peace protocol was signed,
no one who professed a knowledge of
English, save her majesty's Consul
But with the arrival of the American
Evacuation Commissioners, General
Brooke, Admiral Schley and General
Gordon, the whole atmosphere changed.
Every native Porto Rican who under
stood a word of English sought out
the Americans who came in the train
of the commission and lavished an Eng
lish word or a broken sentence upon
them with an air of pride such as one
would if he were displaying some price
less heritage. Their fear and dread of
the Spanish soldiers in the streets and
Spanish officers in the hotels and cafes
disappeared at the sight of the Ameri-
can uniform. They felt that they had
already thrown about them the pro-
Ieeting aegis of the United States, al
though the Spanish flag flew still from
Moro Castle, and the evidences of
Spanish authority still confronted them
on every hand.
1t must be said to the credit of the
Spaniards that, as far as known, there
has not been a single instance where
they have undertaken to arrest or pun
ish those displays of pro-American
feeling. which but a few weeks ago
would Immediately have sent the Of
tenders to prison, or perhaps to a worse
fate. This is more remarkable mas
much as the city is full of Spanish sol
diers. who show on their faces their
deep resentment, and some of the ma
tives seem to delight in making their
exhibition as provoking as possible.
But thus far they have held their
tempers.
The officers and the higher officials
feel their humiliating positions keenly
although they try to deceive them
selves with the boast that Porto Rico
was surrendered, not conquered, and
that their honor is unsullied.
It is not strange that they should
yield control of the island with reluct-
ance. for to the officers of minor rank
serving here means double salary
house rent, and subsistence at the ex-
pense of the province.
But despite their chagrin. the Span
ish officials have been scrupulously, in
deed, punctiliously polite in their atti-
tude toward the American officers
When the New Orleans first entered the
harbor a week ago, salutes and formal
visits were exchanged Immediately.
When our officers came ashore they
made il a point when they met Spanish
officers on the street to salute them
first. even though in many cases they
knew they outranked those to whom
they showed this courtesy. naval eti-
uuette the world over, requiring tbs
subordinate officer to first salute him
who outranks him. 1t was a bit OF
courtesy which took something from the
sting of routine. and relieved the ten
sion. That il was appreciated by tht
vanquished was evidenced by the spon-
taneous heartiness with which the sa-
lutes were returned.
When Admiral Schley reached here
on the Seneca and the Spanish gun
boat Isabel IL replied to the Admiral's
salute. as his double-starred pennan1
was raised on the New Orleans. the Ad-
miral ordered the Spanish flag hauled
to the peak and saluted. The officia
exchange followed the arrival of the
Peace Commissioners with almos
mathematical precision. The Brigadiel
of Marines. Commodore Vallarino
called upon Admiral Schley. as the eti
ouette of the occasion required. Val
larino being Schley's inferior in rank
and this visit the Admiral returned tn,
next morning.
Major General Brooke and Admira
Schley. as the highest military and ma
val officers. on the afternoon of thei
arrival proceeded TO the palace, accom-
panied by their respective staffs, anc
paid their respects to the Captain Gen
eral. who is a Lieutenant General il
the Spanish army. Admiral Schley anC
his personal staff, Lieutenants Harri
and Wells, were arrayed in full uni
form at the hotel when General Brooke
with General Sheridan, his chief o
staff, Colonel Richards. his Adjutan
General; Major Carson, Major Cosby
Colonel Hunter. Colonel Goethal an,
the remainder of his staff Grove up t
ioin them. The night was so disa
greeable that General Brooke and stat
were in fatigue uniform. Their dres
uniform they had left behind then
when they started into the field. AS
would have been manifest impropriety
uraer the circumstances, for the Ad
m Val and his staff to wear full dress
they donned fatigues. The party wer
driven TO the palace between lines o
neople from wall to curb. There tn