The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-30
GEN. W. W. GORDON HOME.
SAYS SAVANNAH SHOULD HAVE BIG
TRADE WITH PORTO RICO.

wick the Nearest Ports 20 San
Juan-BeIieves a Good Trade Could
Be Built Up-Gen. Brooke has Com
mnnd of the Military Department
of Porto Rico Gen. Gordon Here
for the wedding of His Daughter.
He VIII Go to Washington In
About a Week.
Gen. w. Gordon returned to Savannah
yesterday morning, having come from Por-
to Rico by way of Boston on the trans
port Mississippi. He was accompanied by
Mrs. Gordon and Lieut.. W. w. Gordon,
Jr., who have been with him in Porto
Rico.
Gen. Gordon came home particularly on
account of the approaching marriage of
his daughter Miss Mabel Gordon, to Mr..
Rowland Leigh. which takes place to-
morrow. The Mississippi was the first
transport direct from San Juan for this
country which could be secured. 1t brought
back the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment,
which has been there for some time, and
which comes home to be mustered out.
This is regarded as one of the best vol
unteer regiments that went into the SER
vice during the war.
When seen yesterday by a representative
of the Morning News Gen. Gordon appear
ed quite well, and 1t may be said that
his trip to the island has agreed with him.
When il came to matters connected with
Porto Rico Gen. Gordon had nothing to
say. His report, or, rather the report of
the commissioners, has gone TO Washing
ton, and he can say nothing with regard
to it until he has reported in person, and
answered any questions with regard to IL
that the department may wish to ask Gen.
Gordon was asked especially about the
matter of trade with Porto Rico from Sa-
vannah.
II see no reason" he said, why
the people of Savannah, Charleston and
Brunswick should not control the whole
of the Porto Rican trade. They are with
out question the nearest points in a
straight line to San Juan, which Is the
principal port of the island, The vessels
from these ports do not have to go around
any reefs in going there and the primer
pal ports of the island can be more easily
reached from these South Atlantic ports
than from anywhere else"
Gen. Gordon was asked also about Amer
lean products in Porto Rico. He said the
members of the evacuation commission
saw a great many merchants and farm
ers who were prominent in the island, as
well as the insular and municipal officials,
and While he did not discuss the question
OF American products to any extent, he
seemed satisfied that once introduced they
would be well received by the islanders.
Upon the question of Porto Rican
finances, Col. Gordon had nothing to say.
There are about 100000 in Porto Rican
money in that country, which, of course,
is not worth as much as American money.
This is one of the matters which the COM
missioners have included in their report,
and Gen. Gordon cannot talk upon it at
present.
Gen. Brooke at present has the position
of military commander of Porto Rico,
which has been made a department OF the
army, and he Is located at the Palace Cata-
lima, formerly occupied by the captain
general, where Mrs. Brooke will soon jttn
MIN. Admiral Schley, the other member
of the commission, was waiting there
when Gen. Gordon left for the cruiser
Newark. on which he will come al once
to the United States Admiral Schley was
also waiting for the naval officer who will
succeed him in command of the naval sta
ton at San Juan.
The commission, Gen. Gordon said, has
written a report to the war department
upon its work In the island which
has all sorts of documents attached to
| it. The orders to Gen. Gordon and Ad-
miral Schley require them to return to
Washington and report in person. Just
| what these orders mean is not now known.
| II may be that the commissioners will be
| asked some questions with regard to their
work. or they may be asked to do any
| thing else which is considered necessary.
| Gen. Gordon said that he did not
! know whether he would be sent back
to Porto Rico. sent to join his former
| army corps or be mustered out. These are
| things which army officers never know
until the time comes.
| While in the island Gen. Gordon re-
manned altogether in San Juan. He gives
an interesting account of the raising OF
| the United States flag on Oct. IS over
| the forts, the plaza the Palace Catalina
and all the public buildings with the play
| ing of bands and the cheering of the pop
ulace. During these ceremonies Mrs
| Gordon the wives of the English and the
American consuls occupied seats on the
| piazza of the Palace Catalina.
Gen. Gordon will remain in the city for
several days, and then go to Washington
| He has a leave of two weeks from the
war department, but Will probably report
there before his time is out. After that
he will return to Savannah, and may be
able 10 talk of affairs and conditions In
Porto Rico; but until then he can speak
of nothing which has been included in the
commissioners report.