The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-31

ed upon US 20 relieve thsm OF their de-
plorable condition. But OF Puerto Rico
we have known little, and its people
have not had the torture and starvation
that have been meted out TO their BROTH
ers in the sister isle 10 the west OF them.
They have had their wrongs and justly
felt the need OF independence from a ty-
rant government but no such state OF
constant misery has been inflicted upon
them as has crushed Cube.
The mentioned imbroglio which nearly
caused war between this country and
Spain In 1873. was one OF those incidents
which are likely at any moment to oc-
cur in troublous times. In 1873 the Vir-
ginius. ship flying the American flag.
was captured by a Spanish man-of-war
near Jamaica under the suspicion that
she was a filibuster and was conveying
men and warlilxe material to Cuba to
aid the insurgents during the Ten
Years war then going on.
The ship was taken to a Cuban port.
and Captain Joseph Fry, an ex-Confcd-
crate soldier. and 36 of his crew were
shot In Santiago de Cuba by the Span
ish authorities. The affair made an i'm
mense sensation at the time, and the
demand was Immediately forwarded by
lease of the vessel and of the survivors
of the crew and indemnity for the lives
OF those who had been put to death.
A long controversy ensued, resulting
finally in the giving up OF the ship and
the men by the Spanish authorities, who
disclaimed any intention OF insulting
our flag. The vessel sank on the voy-
age between Cuba and New York. 1t Is
supposed to have been scuttled or rem
dered unseaworthy by the Spaniards.
and the incident closed with apologies
and reparation by Spain.
II these two Islands of the West In
dies are left in the same condition. there
will be added two new republican ma
tlons to the waters of the Caribbean
sea. But Of their future there is much
troublous doubt III they only develop
the same incapacity for stable self gov
ernment that is typical of so many OF
the Central American and South Amer
lean states, they will be a menace to
the commercial interests of the world.
Like scorned Haiti, they will be con-
stantly subject 10 reprisals and humili-
ations from more powerful nations OF,
| If prosperous and thriving. will excite
the cupidity of some European powers
who will attempt upon slight pretext to
/ control their finances IL not their des-
TIMES. There are many who believe
they will become sturdy little republics
| like San Marino. Andorra and Switzer-
| land. of such inherent strength and
strong character as to be free from out
side complications or internal dissen-
sions.
1t is the opinion of others that there
will be a succession Of revolutions
among themselves that lessening their
military capacity and destroying their
own financial strength and by that
means coming into the possession of
their foreign bondholders, will ultimate
| ly compel the United States TO interfere
| for the preservation of its own inter-
| ests, and that annexation Is the only
| true solution of the problem. Still, both
| Puerto Rico and Cuba may have an
other Diaz who will prove fortress Of
| strength. If these two islands are to
| be constantly involved in controversies
with other nations and always presum-
| ably certain monarchical powers of Eu-
rope and the United States is to be
| continuously called upon to act as ar
| bitrator, IL will find this undignified po-
sition In the course of time intolerable,