The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-14
JOURNALISM IN PORTO RICO.
A Badly Scared Editors Interview
with General Wilson.

Ponce Letter in Louisville Dispatch.
Among the first persons who called upon
General Wilson after he took possession of
this city as its military governor was the
proprietor of the only newspaper published
here. He was accompanied by an interpre-
ter and as soon as he could get an audience
he asked, through the interpreter, whether
his presses and type were to be confiscated.
"Of course not" answered General Wilson
bluffly.
Shall we be allowed to continue the pub
lication of our paper?"
Certainly" said General Wilson. 1--WE
in America believe in newspapers, and the
more there are printed the better we like
it,"
This seemed to crafty the proprietor of
the newspaper very much. but he was evil
IDENTIFY still uneasy in his mind.
what do you wish us to say about the
coming of the Americans?" he asked "or
would you prefer that we say nothing at all
about it? Shall you have a member of your
staff to tell us just what we shall say about
your coming?"
mo" the general answered, testify. Il
shall not have any one tell you what you
shall say. You can tell the story Of our COM
ing, and tell it in any way you like so long
as you tell the truth. l don't care how you
tell it, only don't say anything which will
tend to stir up the people to commit disor-
ders or to hostility to the United States"
Very good. We will follow your direc-
tons, and you have my thanks. We will
have a proof of the paper here for you
at"
Damn it!'' shouted the general. IT don't
want to see your proofs. Go ahead and tell
the story just as it is. We don't censor our
newspapers. and we believe in a free press"
The proprietor got out an announcement
that night that the publication of his news
paper would be suspended after that date,
but that it would be succeeded by new
paper to be known as La Nueva Ere. and
tonight Numero i Ano OF this made as,9 Its
ing of the landing of our troops at Port
Ponce and the occupation of the port and
city. printed in both Spanish and English:
""THE RECENT EVENTS.
First Parton the 9th inst at p. m.
a fleet approaching the port was signaled
from the signal hill and truly from all the
roofs and points of vantage of the city
could be seen three ships nearing our har-
Dor at great speed, of which two were APP
parently transports and the other a tug. 1t
did not take them long to come into port
and anchor After while boat was seen
ing a white flag. 1t reached the shore
shortly afterward with an officer, who, on
landing, bent his steps to the captain of
the ports office in search of the military
commander of the town. for whom he had
a dispatch. The captain of the port an
swered him that he had no military juriSdic-
ton and sent for the military commander,
residing up town here, to take delivery OF
the dispatch brought by said officer. AT
about this time small volunteer force got
fa~f, 1nnr "a nTlC CT "a N
the two companies OF the regulars. which
on the first alarm of the approach of the
American fleet had been ordered to the
port, were echeloned on the road leading
from here to the harbor. With the latter
forces came the late military commander OF
this district Colonel San Martin. On the
latter being informed that there was an
American officer bearing, under a flag Of
truce. a dispatch for him he replied that
without direct authority from the governor
general he could not receive it. On getting
This reply the American officer informed the
captain OF the port that he would give half
An hours grace for the military commander
rs come and take delivery Of the dispatch.