Evening star., 1898-10-19
THE NATIVES STRIKE
Porto Ricans Made to Work at the
Point Of the Bayonet.
PAID LESS THAN BY THE SPANISH
Cause of Prevalence of Disease in
the Army.
YING COFFEE LANDS
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.


wages was reduced from 81 per diem to
10 cents in gold for this class of labor, an l.
as very pronounced sentiment of discon-
tent became apparent, which steadily deep
ened until on Monday, the 26th, it took the
overt form o. a strike.
The refusal to work in the first instance
did not, however, last over a few hours,
the men reporting to the sergeants of IN
gineerS who have them in charge the next
day, and continuing on until yesterday
morning, the 10th. when they again de-
ciared their refusal to accept the rate, and
did not enter the ranks for roll call, whi in
have been daily lined up on the water
front, under the eye of the harbor master,
for some time past. Today, by order of
Gen. Henry, all native laborers found on
the docks at l o'clock pm. were put under
military guard and forced on board the
government ships lying in the harbor, ani
at the point of the bayonet compelled to
discharge their cargoes into the idle light
ers, which have lain alongside since Satur-
day. AS soon the provost detail reached
the docks and the order was promulgated
several natives attempted to fee, and, fail
ing to obey the order to halt, were fired
upon by the guards. but without injury,
though Cne man was afterward struck on
the head with a dubbed rifle. Others made
an effort to escape in a boat to the bay,
| but gave themselves up without resistance
when confronted by loaded muskets. What
the outcome may be cannot be stated, but
it will depend upon the settlement of the
currency question.
That these half-civilized and miserable
icons have justification for their action in
refusing to work at the cut rate of pay
under the present standard is even less than
ii was under Spanish rule. This comes
about in this wise: A certain financial house,
whose agents came here from Boston, re-
Gently have placarded the town with an an
nouncement fixing the rate of exchange at
1.60. This has led the Porto Rican mer-
chants to put our fractional currency-that
is, sums below one dollar-to par with the
Spa niSh money, and thus the labOrer is
actually receiving for his days work. in
cases where he has small sums due him,
less than forty-five cents. This is less than
he was paid BY his former masters and is
too small to sustain him, even with his
simple wants, though by contact with the
Americans in the past three months these
have become considerably multiplied.
A simplitication of the whole situation lies
in the hands of General Henry, but in a
far different way than that under which he
is proceeding. A fixed rate of exchange OH
the basis of that declared by General Miles
should be proclaimed and everybody COM
PEELED to live up to. The present vacilat-
ing conditions are fatal to business and de-
termined steps should at once be taken to
hand half so effectual as this, and the duty
of the commanding general appears to be
clear
Whether it is legitimate business on the
part of a banking house to purchase Span
ish silver at two dollars for one and then
retail the same at the premium fixed in
their poster is question. Where they get
the Spanish silver does not appear. but it
is accepted by the government here for du-
ties and at the post office on the basis of
two dollars for one, and these financial
agents have some means of securing it at
that rate. 1t is nice little speculation
but it means the depreciation of our cur
rency where 1t should be held strictly al
its proper value.
So far beyond the uncertainty and in
terest which naturally belongs to a condi-
ton of suspended warfare. business for
month past has gone on much in the nor
NAL way IN those parts of the island
whence the SpaEiardS have been driven out
but al San Juan and other military ports
still occupied by remnants of their scat
tered army, and subject to<their control,
there has baen almost complete stagnation
in commerce, and the few industrial lines
represented in the country.
For a short time certain disquieting COS
sip which gained circulation here as to
probable alliance between Germany and
Spain and a widely disseminated report al
leginS that the German flag had been
raised over the government buildings at
San Juan gave the natives, who are an ex-
citabla race much alarm, and operated to
disturb the current of trade here, but this
was only temporary, and it soon passed
by and was forgotten. Within the past
week there has been a notable revival in
business circles in Ponce, and the outlook
has perceptbly frightened. Steamers just
arrived from the United States and from
Germany and France have brought large
consignments of goods to local firms, and
the stocks which have baen allowed to be-
come depleted since the war began will be
soon restored to the normal limit.
Gen. Stone Buys Coffee Lands.
Gen. Roy Stone has purchased large
tract of coffee lands near Salinas, where
there is one of the very best natural har-
bors on the coast, protected by a range of
islands extending ten miles. The anchor
age is said to be good, the depth reaching
from twelve to twenty-four feet but the
length Of docks to reach deep water would
require to be at least 700 feet. Gen. Stone
has party of engineers at work making
soundings and there is a possibility that
the government may have some intention
respecting Salinas bay not necessarily for
publication now.
'Fhs coffee growing business still con-
tinues to attract the interest of Americans,
and few have made investments in these
lands. This and the sugar and tobacco in
dustries are so extensive and far reaching
in importance that one should have ample
time and opportunity to study them before
presenting conclusive views upon them to
the American public. but it is safe to say
that they all hold out flattering promise 20
men possessed of large capital At present
these interests appear too large to offer any
inducements to men Of small means. Fruit
culture and truck farming and small manu-
featuring will present rare opportunities to
energetic men with limited capital as soon
as the new era opens here with the formal
transfer of the island.
sickness in the Army.
Sickness in the army still continues to in
crease from various causes. The 9th Mas
sachusetts is suffering severely and report
$50 unfit for duty. Among American citi-
zens visiting in the island who have been
here from two or three to eight or ten
weeks, there is scarcely any disability
whatever and 1t may be safely said that
the physical condition of the army is but in
small part the result of climatic influences.
The exigencies of the campaign and the un-
avoidable exposure and hardship of camp
life, together with the use of improper food,