The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-16
Observation-Disclosures,
HON THE SPAN|ARDS TOOK PORTO RICO. 8
n
The Story Of the Discovery and the Easy but Cruel =
Conquest Of Our Latest Possession. 4

From the St. Louis alobe-pemocrat.

From the st. Louis Globe-Democrat.
Four hundred years ago the eyes Of
the world were centered on the West
Indies. After Columbus had made his
first discovery, he was sent back again
and again to take possession of all the.
lands he could find, and was successful
In planting the standard of Spain on
many rich and fertile shores.
On his second voyage, in 1893, while
cruising among the islands of the West
Indies, we are told by one of our his
torians that she arrived one evening
In sight of great island covered with
fine Ravens. 1t was called by the ma
tives BoriQuen, but Columbus gave 1t
the name of San Juan-Bautista. 1t Is
the same since known by the name
of Porto Rico. 1t was fertile and popu-
lous, and under the dominion of a sin
gle caciQue or chief" Columbus land
ed at one of the villages, which was
built around a square with one large,
Well-constructed house in the center.
A wide road, fenced on each side, eX-
tended to the seashore, the fence being
made of reeds, inclosing fine gardens.
The road terminated In kind Of ter
race which overlooked the water. The
whole place was distinguished by its
neatness and ingenuity, and seemed to
be the residence Of the chief. Columbus
made but a brief stay at Porto Rico,
and the island appears to have re-
manned no further explored until 1903.
1t Is remarkable that it was neglected
for so long, as 1t is said to have been
most inviting as seen from the water,
Its mountains being we'll covered with
gigantic trees Of fine foliage and it's
valleys were broad and green.
In 1908, Juan Ponce de Leon (who
! afterwards discovered Florida) conceiv-
ed the idea of exploring Porto Rico,
which, owing to the transparency of
the tropical atmosphere. he could easily
discern from the neighboring island of
Hayti. With the Spaniards, as with
the Americans of the present day,
THE LOVE OF GOLD
was the leading passion, and Ponce de
Leon particularly desired to explore
Porto Rico because he had heard from
some Of the natives that the precious
metal was there in abundance. On
landing he was received very kindly
by the chief, who with his family, was
seated under the shade Of the native
trees. These hoSpitable and unsus-
pecting natives WED with each other
IN doing honor to Ponce de Leon and
his followers. AS was the custom with
the Spaniards, Ponce de Leon offered
to baptize them, but they refused,
though they allowed him to bestow
Christian names on them, of which
they We're very proud. The chief show
ed him all over the island, disclosing
It's wild and rugged scenery, it's noun
tains covered with fine forests and its
fertile, well-Watered valleys. Ponce de
Leon, however, only gave the beauty
Of the scenery and agricultural produc-
lions passing glance. He never for
a moment forgot that the object of his
visit to discover the presence of gold,
and was therefore delighted when the
chief brought him richly Veined pebbles
from the rivers. He Immediately re-
turned with some of these to Hayti,
where he reported the success of his
expedition. He was ambitious to be-
come governor OF the new island, but
it looked for some time as if he would
be doomed to disappointment How
ever, finally, through the influence of
eX-Gov. Ovando, of Hayti, he received
his appointment from King Ferdinand.
JUAN PONCE DE LEON
took command of the island in the
year 1909; not, however, until after
Juan Ceron had governed Porto Rico
for a short time. He appointed Chris
toval de Sotomayor his lieutenant. At
ter short time, however, Sotomayor
resigned. but remained on the island
as a private individual. establishing
assigned to him a large number of
Indians.
Ponce de Icons seat Of government
was fixed in town called Caparra, on
the northern side of the island 1t faced
the port called Porto Rico, from which
afterwards the name Of the island was
taken. The approach to the town was
VI mountain, which made 1t cost
more to convey provisions, ETC., to the
new capital than to transport them
from Spain.
Ponce de Leon made many improve
ments in the island and founded
towns, but in doing so distributed the
poor Indians in allotments, in order to
force them to give the more efficient
work. In the beginning the Indians
had been most friendly with the white
men and had shown them every kind
ness, but now, since they had assum-
ed the position Of task masters their
feelings towards them naturally chang
ed. Their burdens were made so heavy