The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-12
TheGen
-of the
Antilles

manding attention is the disposition OF
the island of Puerto Rioo. The health
lest Of the Antilles and admirably adapt
ed by its strategic position for an outly-
ing naval station, 1t is more than prob
able that it's acquisition by the United
States will be discussed as the wisest
settlement Of the troubles Of the island.
Puerto Rico has been held by the
Spanish crown since the days Of Ponce
de Leon, who was SO delighted with it's
loveliness that he sought there the foun.
tain Of youth, for which the island
seems fitting location. The misman.
agement OF an English expedition under
Abercromby rather than the loyalty of
it's inhabitants saved the island to Spain
IN the eighteenth century. and stand
ing army has preserved 1t for her during
the nineteenth.
As early as 1890 the Puerto Ricans
attempted to gain their independence.
This first rebellion was put down after
q short guerrilla war. Several abortive
attempts to drive the Spaniards from
the island followed toward the middle
of the century, but they served only as
q sign Of the discomfort in the hearts of
the people. 1t was in 1868. the year of
the great uprising in Cuba, that the
most formidable outbreak In Puerto
Rico occurred. IL is significant Of
Spain's treatment of her colonies that
the leaders of the contemporsneous re-
bellions knew nothing of the intentions
of the patriots on the sister island.
In Puerto Rico preparation was made
for great, simultaneous rush to arms
The Spanish government was so univer-
sally detested that the prospective in
surgents included large proportion Of
the people. In fact, it was the number
of persons in the secret that proved ia
tai to the plot and led to its exposure
by traitors. AS result it was necessary
that the insurEectidn take place several
weeks before the patriots were prepared.
After two months fighting the Spanish
regulars were victorious, and the lead
er of the rebels. DR.. Ramon Z. Betances,
now of Paris, was captured, as was also
j. ]. Henna, since New York physi-
clan, then young Puerto Rican 18
years Of age. All prisoners were SEN
fenced to be shot on NoY. A, 1868. On
Nov. news reached the island of the
overthrow of Queen Isabella and politi-
cal prisoners were pardoned. Later they
were banished. These exiles. dwelling
in many different countries, have form
ed the centers of active movements for
the freeing Of Puerto Rico that have
eliminated in powerful organization
known as the Puerto Rico section of the
revolutionary party Of Cuba.
The first articles of the statement of
principles Of the Cuban revolutionary
party, written by Jose Marti, declared
that fomenting revolution in Puerto
Rico and helping Puerto Ricans to their
independence should be an object CO.
ordinate with Cuba g freedom. This led
to the organization Of the Puerto Ricans
as part of the Cuban party. Natives
Of Puerto 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 1868, DIR. Ramon E.
Betances. was elected delegate general.
DR.. J. ]. Henna is the president and
the head of the movement in America.
The other directors Of the section are
Seniors j. de M. Terreforte, Manuel Be-
sosa and r. H. Todd, all Of New York.
Mr.. Todd is the secretary.
The size Of the island is about 100 by
81 miles and it's population has reached
nearly 1000, 600. The Spanish prov
ince includes two islands to the east,
one Of which, Vieques, is as large as
the Danish islands Of st. Croix that the
United States contemplated purchasing
There are two fine old cities in Puerto
Rico-St. Johns, the capital and princi-
pal port, and Ponce. the largest city,
several miles inland.
The vegetation Of the island is ex-
uberant even for the West Indies, and
the products include all the fruits and
woods Of the tropics Sugar, coffee and
tobacco are the staples Tho value of
the exports, which is increasing con-
stantly, was more than $40, 900, 900 in
1890. This is far In excess of the value
Of exports Of any island about the Ca
ribbenn except Cuba. Puerto Rico's
mineral wealth includes rich deposits.
of gold, iron, copper, coal and salt.
Only tho salt beds are worked. Animal
life Is abundant and varied. Huge herds
of excellent cattle swarm over the low
land plains, and In the more temperate
mountain districts the celebrated Puerto
Rican horses are bred. All things con-
sidered, no spot ON the globe is better
equipped by nature 10 support happy
and industrious population.
The people themselves are superior
in blood and industry to those of any
island in the West Indies, Cuba not ex-
oepted. OF population OF 500, 600 in
1890 nearly 500, 900 were whites Of un-
mixed blood and but 1900 were ne.
groes and mulattoes. OF the mixed"
population quite 800, 900 are the Jeba-
ros, an uncommon people said to be Of
Spanish stock with drops Of the native
Indian blood in them. They are small
farmers and laborers. The race is fine
one, showing the regular features and
small feet Of the Europeans.