The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-12

id and easy of affront and it is a fact
that the last few disturbed years in Gu
ba and Porto Rico have done much to
keep them in doors. To many of these
southern women the Sunday evening
promenade was the only outdoor break,
for weeks at a time, in the p1tltuI mo-
notony of their daily lives.
The plaza at San Juan is absolutely
bare and stone paved 1t IS long ana
comparatively narrow. On one side
is the town hall with it's two clock tow
ers; at one end is the three-stor1es and
severely plain facade of La DdSputa-
cion," The other buildings that race
it are tWO-stories with narrow hanging
balconies. The band of the Eleventh
infantry plays in the center and they
carry with them from the barracks
kerosene torches to light their music.
The electric lights of the town are out
of order and the row of feeble gas
lamps surrounding the plaza do nothing
more than make objects dinly visible.
The southern side of the plaza IS the
only proper side upon which to prone
made Csharpe distinctions concerning the
prOprieties are drawn here). Only the
common people" promenade upon the
plaza's north side Along the southern
side some enterprfsing man every night
puts long row of rocking chairs and
rents them out at 10 cents each Tor the
evening. The band plays IN the center
and up and down the south side walk
the best people" 1t is an endless
march, to the shutting of many feet
Spanish words predominant of course,
vet there is considerable English spO-
ken and some bright American girl, the
wife of an officer, or the daughter or
some high official, gay and trim in last
summers dress, finds slim army officers
and white clad naval men to walk with
her through the shifting promenaders.
The town clock calls each quarter of
hour with changing bell and cafes on
ground floors are noisy and busy. By
10 o'clock it is all over and the plaza
takes on it's accustomed nightly and de-
serted appearance.
Lieutenant Colonel Allen c. Blackwell
arrived recently in San Juan, bringing
Port6 Rioo. Coionei BafeWeil comes here
as the volunteer representative of Lafay-
cite post No. $40, and the flags in question
are furnished by the post in accordance
with its custom and usage in promoting
patriotic education and loyalty among
school children. Colonel Blackwell will
supply 600 flags to the island, a number
private school in Porto Rico The first
presenta lions were made this morning at
9 o'clock at San Juan'S principal plaza
There were assembled all the teachers,
principals and pupils Of the f 9eY ion
lines of little boys from the orphan asy-
lum. The band of the Eleventh regiment
played pa triouc airs ana the nags DOTTED
the sunny, child-croWded square with bril-
dren and poor ones some fair as Germans.
and others as black as they could be- At
the head of each school procession march
ed the standard bearer. of the colors that
in the future would bring to its new fol-
last denied their fathers in the past.
The position of the Roman Catholic
strange and even illogical Merchants,
farmers, business men,, civilian employees,
all classes of society, have their defend
ers and those who busy themselves with
striving for their future benefits. The
newspapers are open to all who would
complain of abuses or who can suggest
Improvement. but one never sees mention
of the church therein. The church alone
seems to have been forgotten.
Men of the church who discuss this pres
sit l9fin a n q
that the government of the United States
that the church of Rome from this on
must stand upon its own feet and expect
a lively competition in religious matters:
The clergy say there has been a great
change of feeling evidenced since the
Americans took possession; that people
seem glad to let the church make its fight
alone and unaided, and few come to its
help and support. These people have not
foresworn their old faith with their old
Catholic but the voices of a few free
thinkers are stronger than the weak, half
hearted effort of over 10000 members"
General Brooke recently issued an order
stating that, with the exception of such
ing Spanish duties and taxes should be
collected. Now, the moneys being co.'s
lected were estimated by Spain with the
idea of paying certain amount OF them
to the clergy, but since September of this
year they have not received a cent and
are assured that they VIII get nothing in
the future. The clergy ask why they are
to be eliminated from the payments. They
are included in the estimates for taxation
and the taxes are being collected, the
money to pay them amounting to over
200. 600 pesos a year.
been. entirely Roman Catholic. There is
Protestant church at Ponce, but this is
island, and the followers of Protestant |
ism have never been numerous For the |
first time in its history. San Juan has
heard the words of a Protestant religious |
service.