The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-10-06
PORTO RICAN TRAITS.
VIRTUES AND VICES OF UNCLE SANS
NEW SUBJECTS.
The Rich Island Vow In n Transition
stnte--Our Possession of IL JtilI Far
From Complete = Conflict Between
the New syatem and the old.

The Rich Island Now In n Transition
stnte--Our Possession of IL Jtill Far
From Complete : Conflict Between
the New system and the old.
Especial Correspondence.l
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, Sept. 90
The conclusion of the deliberations Of
the american and Spanish commission
ers now being carried on in this city
Is eagerly awaited by all classes of the
population. The most extravagant ex-
pectations are entertained regarding the
result of the meeting, and many Span
iards and Porto Ricans anticipate bene-
fit to themselves personally therefrom.
do not think the natives of the island
regard the Americans now with the
friendship that they were SO effusive in
displaying a short time ago. Probably
the conduct of some of the volunteers
for they are not all members of the Y.
NJ. @. A.-has had something to do
with this, but it is difficult to deter.
mine, and one does not expect any kind
of permanency in a people so volatile.
Since the entry of United States
soldiers into Porto Rico many things
have occurred, and we are able now
to form truer estimate Of its merourial
people than before. The extent of Porto
Rican demands, many impossible Of be-
| ing granted, seem to convey a certain
indication as to the motive that prompt.
ed SO much enthusiasm, and the suspi-
cion is inevitable that present safety
and the hope Of prospective benefits
were determinative factors in the
warmth of the welcome accorded to us.
AS subjects of the United States, or
destined to be such when the island is
formally annexed, l wish / could say
nothing about the Porto Rioans but
what would be to their credit. Unfor-
tunately, to be truthful, l cannot in
dulge in unqualified laudation, and,
while justly attributing some virtues to
them, / must also admit that they have
glaring defects, which, if not vices in
the ordinary acceptation of the term,
are such as seriously reflect upon their
manliness, Manly courage and polite
ness superior to subservienoy, l am
afraid, are not general traits Of the na.
tives of this island. Men, not of the in
ferior orders, either, will submit to
| blows and insults without even the
tamest of protests, and TO be stigmatized
as coward rarely provokes a violent
| protest from the persons so assailGd.
| This forbearanCe--sOme perhaps would
call it Christian--is not, fancy, the re-
suit of a forgiving, tolerant disposition.
But now as to their good qualities.
| They are almost invariably honest.
Should any American visitor happen to
leave his pooketbook in his bedroom in
| a San Juan hotel he may feel perfectly
at ease about it, as he is certain to have
it returned TO him, unless some foreign
walters are employed. Picking pockets
is practically unknown among Porto
Ricans, something characteristic of
Parisians also. 1t has been stated that
French thieves are SO addicted to gestic-
ulating that they have no time to watch
their own pockets or to appropriate the
contents Of those Of others. Porto Ricans
also gesticulate, but do not think that
their honesty in this particular is out
Of regard for a national proclivity.
POliteness is universal here among
all ranks of society. The most ignorant
rustic will uncover before a woman and
will invariably greet the pass with
a CHEEKY "Buenos diosW Children are