New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-15
THE SITUATION IN PORTO RICO.
MEMBERS OF THE CREW or TdE SILVIA WHICH
LEFT SAN JUAN on APRIL = BRING
NEWS OF INTEREST.

NEWS OF INTEREST
The British steamer Silvia OF the New-Yo-k and
Porto Rico Steamship Company arrived yesterday
from Porto Rico ports. the last OF which san
Juan she left on April = wiki full cargo OF sugar
consigned TO the American Sugar Refining Com
pany. She also carried eighteen passengers
Captain Clark said that OF the time he LETT San
Juan. the Spanish cruisers Vizcaya and Almlran.s
Oquendo were SIN In port. coaling. watering and
provisioning. and that entire secrecy was main
tanned about their departure and what direction
they would take. The people Of the island showed
much care In avoiding discussion OF politics In any
way. and when the subject OF Spanish dominion
and policy was preached they reticont FOR
fear Of offending the authorities. The people DO
not want war with the United States. which would
destroy the trade OF the island for wh'le rs
coffee Is sent 20 Europe this country receives IT'S
sugar. and when the Silvia left San Juan there
q feeling that there would be war.
The young Canadian. SAID TO be a correspondent
OF Il New-York newspaper. who was thrown into
Jail on March %. on suspicion OF trying TO obtain
plans OF thu fort6cations OF the island I, was
rumored was to be tried by 4 military court mar
t!al on the Saturday or Monday following the day
the Silvia left. No concern whatever was shown
for his fate. so completely the people under
the disciplinary pressure OF Spanish rule He Is
In jail n second time for the same offence having
been arrested for carrying a camera
II also stated BY the officers and crew Of
this vessel tina, the nigh. previous 10 their arrival
At Snn Juan American schooner. which had
been tied 10 Tho quay wall at that port. was cut
the harbor for some distance before her anchors
could be lowered. The action charged 10
tho9e In sympathy with the Spanish cause.
Tho English and Norwegian Consuls san
Juan on the day prior 10 the Silvias departure
notified the sailors OF their respective countries
that IL would not he safe for them 10 remain on
tho streets later than o'clock AT night. as there
WAS danger OF rioting among the Spaniards OF the
island.
According to the rumors then current a, san
Juan the United states had demanded from spain
families OF those who had lost their lives on the
Maine and the remainder for the loss II tho
snip Tho demand had excited the Spanish In
habitsnts OF the island
Among the laboring classes at San Juan there
was strong sympathy for Cuban independence and
many OF the people. even those engaged In bust
ness expressed the hope that the United States
would drive spain out OF Porto Rico
When one OF the business men was questioned
ny an officer OF the Silvia as to why he expressed
this desire. he said:
II believe anything would be better than Spanish
rule here and for wan; TO get rid OF IL"
The officer then said:
II thought you were Spaniard."
the merchant answered: NO I am
longer a Spaniard; am Porto Riran, and want
10 See THIS island advance not so backward"
Inc Silvia brought here the shpwrecked crews
or two vessels. One was the OF sixteen OF thu
Norwegian bark SIT. which wrecked on March
81 me others were the mate and four men OF tho
british schooner Latona. which was wrecked
March 80. Both crews came from San Juan