The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-06-24

mandinS attention is the disposition Of
the island of Porto Rico. The health
lest of the Antilles and admirably
adapted by its strategic position for an
outlayng naval station, 1t is more than
probable that its acquisition by the
United states will be discussed as the
wisest settlement of the troubles of the
island
The Spanish minister TO the United
states, Senur de LONE, was fond of cit
ing Porto Rico, now SPANS last pos
session in America, in evidence of the
blessings and content-producing prop
critics of Spanish rule.
But It is neither because its people
have been happy under the Spanish
yoke nor yet because they have not
made desperate efforts to throw it off
that Porto Rico is still dependency of
Spain. The Porto l}icans have long de-
sired freedom with an augmenting
keennesS, and, furthermore, nine
tenths of them wish to become citizens
Of the United States.
In his vague references to law-abid-
ing and contented Porto Rico. the
Spanish diplomat was careful not TO go
into a detailed history of the island
much less to give an accurate account
of the blessings showered upon it by a
horde Of greedy Spanish officeholders.
SPANS FOR CENTURIES.
Porto Rico has been held by the Span
ish crown since the days Of Ponce de
Leon. who was so delighted with its
lovcliness that he sought there the
fountain of youth. for which the island
seems fitting location. The misman-
agement of an English expedition un-
der Abercromby, rather than the 10y
atty of its inhabitants, saved the island
TO Spain in the Eighteenth century,
and standing army has preserved it
for her during the Nineteenth
As early as 1920 the Porto RiCans at
tempted to gain their independence
This was years before Cuba had been
fired by the torch of liberty. Indeed,
at about this time the Cubans were talk
ing oaths Of eternal allegiance to the
legitimate Spanish dynasty which they
alone supported when Napoleon had
overrun Spain. This first rebellion was
put down after a short guerrilla war.
Several abort!ve attempts to drive the
Spanards from the island followed to-
ward the middle of tine century but
thy served only as a sign of the dis
content in the hearts of the people.
INcf + Ell L AL IENOLH.
1t was in 1868 the year of the great
uprising in Cuba, that the most for
midable outbreak in Porto Rico oc-
CURED. 1t is significant of Spain's
treatment of her colonies that the lead
ers of the cOntempOraneous rebellions
knew nothing of the intentions of the
patriots on the sister island.
In Porto Rico, preparation was made
for great simultaneous rush to arms,
The Spanish government was so uni
Versally dctested that the prospective
Insurgents included a large proportion
OF the people. In fact, it was the num-
Der of persons in the secret that proved
fatal to the plot and led to it's exposure
as traitors. As result, it was neces-
sary that the insurrcction take place
several weeks before the patriots were
prepared. After two months fighting
the Spanish regulars were victorious
and the leader of the rebels, Or. Ra-
mon f. Betances, now of Paris. was
captured, as was also J. j. Hcnna,
since a New York physician, then a
young Porto Rican eighteen years Of
age.
All prisoners We're sentenced to be
shot on November 4, 1868. On Noycm-
q
overthrow of Queen Isabella and polit-
ical prisoners were pardoned. Later
they were banished.
These eXiles, dwelling in many differ
ent countries, have formed the centcrs
Of active movements for the freeing OF
Porto Rico that hav eliminated in a
powerful organization known as the
Porto Rico Section of the Revolutions
ary PARTY of Cuba.
IN LEAGUE WITH CUBANS.
The first articles of the statement of
principles of the Cuban Revolutionary
party, written by Jose Marti, declared
that tomentlng revolution in Porto Rico
ana helping the Porto Ricans to their
independence should be an object CO.
ordinate with Cuban's freedom.
rms led TO the Organizatio Of the
forto Rlcans as a part Of the Cuban
party. Natives of Porto Rico in and
out OF the country are hard at work FOR
the independence of the island. Votes
were recently taken for officers of the
Section, and the hero of the rising in
'oS' DR.. Ramon +. Betances. was elected
delegate general. Dr. j. j. Hcnna is
the president and the head of the move
ment in America. The other directors
of the Section are Senors j. dem. Tere-
forte Manuel Besosa, and r. II. Todd.
all OF New York. Mr.. Todd is the sec
retary.
ISLANDS RESOURCES.
The size of the isand is about 100
og 81 miles and its population has
Teached nearly million. The Spanish
province includes two islands TO the
east one of which, Nieques, is as large
as the Danish island of St. Croiy that
the United States contemplated pur-
chasing.
There are two fine old cities in Porto
Rico, ST. Johns the capital and prin-
cipal port, and Ponce, the largest oit,,
several miles inland. The coast is
dented into five ports of entry wbars
there are towns.
The vegetation of the island is OK
uberant even for the West Indies ana
the products include all the fruits auI
woods OF the tropics. Sugar, coffee and
tobacco are the staples. The value of
the exports, which is increasing con-
stantly, was more than SlO,OOO,OO0 I'm
1890. This is far in excess of the yaluo
of the exports of any island about the
Caribbean except Cuba,
Porto Ricos mineral wealth includes
rich deposits Of gold, iron, copper coal
and salt. Only the salt beds are
worked.
Animal life is abundant and varied
Huge herds of excellent cattle swarm
over the lowland plains and in the more
temperate mountain districts the ceIe-
brated Porto Rican horses are bred.