The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-14
OUR ISLAND
POSSESSIONS.
Affairs in Porto Rico Are Set
Ting Down
On a Quiet and Businesslike
Basis.
AN AMERICAN BAND
Continues the Spanish Custom
of Free Concerts
In the Plaza of San Juan on
AN AMERICAN
BAND
In the Plaza of San Juan on
Sunday Evenings.

IS the purpose of General Brooke, mill
itary governor of this island, to retain
as far as possible the governmental in
situations, both general and municipal,
now existing here, and to permit these
various institutions to regulate the is
lands affairs in the future as they
have done in the past. To this policy
there are two features. It is to be dis
tinctly understood that each and every
institution IS under the absolute con-
troll OF the American military govern
ment, and that this state of affairs shall
continue until such time as the congress
of the United States shah have deter
mined just what sort Of housekeeping
we shall undertake In Porto Rico.
Partisan politics should not exist IN
der these present circumstances and
strong effort Will be made to eliminate
them from the premises and to Rllay
their disturbing influences. Just how
far this can be done successfully is a
question open to and receiving consider
able discussion at the present time.
The above outline of policy was visible
in the business-1ixe General Order No.
1, issued from the palace in San Juan
on october Is, and as soon as the fact
contained therein found its way to the
public mind, the Porto Rican advocates
of the theory that to the VictOrs belong
the SpOLs sprang into print, and this
some stand Grafton.
When it comes to a question of spells
the Porto Rican considers himself the
victor. While he does not for q mo-
ment believe himself in any way par
ty to the recent Spanish departure, he
counts himself a victor over the Span
lard insomuch as he stands on record
as having welcomed the American with
open arms and he consequently does
not see why this country should still
hold over him any man who is a. Span
lard or continue any any institution to
remind him of the much talked of past
days Of oppression and tyranny. That
Rome was not built in a day and other
arguments based upon that irrefutable
statement, do not have the quoting eff
feet which one would wish. you have"
say they, come to remove the odiOuS
and hatred yoke of Spain. Well, away
with it and at once. Every Spaniard
should be removed from office, for we
cannot and will not stand even the con-
trolled administration of men who op-
posed US in days gone by, and we want
the immediate undOing OF the form Of
government in all its branches that
Spain saw fit to force upon US. We
will accept Porto Ricans in control, but
we will have nothing more to do with
the Spaniards.'
And when the Porto Rican, in the role
of victor, calls loudly for the spOils, he
does not seek office for himself or his
friends as a reward, nor for reasons Of
possible gain, but simply to bring about
the removal of the detested Spaniard
and the substitution of men whom he is
willing to have over him.
But General Brooke has said that he
will continue as far as possible the old
institutions, and this also means the old
men This path will have it's difficult
les 1t is said that charges of various
kinds, all tending to show the unfitness
of certain Spaniards to longer hold Of
flee will be carefully prepared and set
before General Brooke. In many cases
the charges may be true, in many cas-
es, being prompted by the fundamental
desire of having the men removed, they
may be exaggerated and misleading or
unfair and false. There may be pre-
scented very good reasons why a Ger
tain man should be removed from office.
If this were done a successor would
have to be appointed, and then what an
opportunity for partisan politics, lob
bying, influence, etc, with a fair chance
that the most wise appointment possible
under the circumstances would carry
as much local discomfort as the contin-
uance of the man who was shown to be
unfit for the post.
Then there will also come up the
question as to whether Spaniards of
known integrity, honesty and efficiency
should be removed simply because they
are Spaniards. There will surely be
men to request this and they will as
surely criticize and rant and declaim in
all the wealth OF the CastilIian tongue
when they learn that the great republic
that fountain head of justice, that home
Of the oppressed, will force upon the
a
want Of Spain.
The next few months in Porto Rico
will hear much discussion and COM
plant, a large portion of which will
grow out Of the conditions outlined
above. General Brooke will find to his
hand many matters requiring delicate
adjustment, II the peace and content
ment of the islanders are to be preser-
we'd. General Brooke's course up to
the present time has given ample prom
Use of his ability to successfully steer
his way through this undertaking. He
let's men see that he is governor gen
eral of this island, which is as pleasing
to the Porto Ricans as are the eviden-
ces of the generals "Reminiscences and
direct methods.
Today the members of the old insular
cabinet, Messrs. Munoz Blanco, Lopez
and Carbonnel. the secretaries, as they
are called, took the oath of allegiance
to the United States. This oath which
is as follows, was administered by COL
onel Edward Hunter:
Il - do sOlemnly swear to renounce
forever all allegiance and fidelity to any
foreign prince, pOtentate, state or SOW
eretgnty and particularly to the state
! and sovereignty of Spain.
And I do further swear that I will
support and defend the constitution Of
the United States against all enemies,
foreign or domestic; that I will bear
true faith and allegiance to the same
that 1 take this obligation freely with
out any mental reservation or purpose
4 of evasion"
! These men are continued in their off,
ces of minister of finance, minister of
justice and minister of the interior by
General Brooke. and as an expected
consequence of this action their political
opponents are rabid.
The Pals, Of this evening, prints many
words on the subject only to say how
ever that as General T3roOJxe's mower 10