The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-30
SITUATION IN PORTO RICO.
The People in Constant Fear of An
other Visit by Americans


other Visit by Americans. SIS
Correspondence of the Associated Press
ST. THOMAS, Danish West Indies, May
22.-The days following the bombardment of
Porto Rico's capital by Admiral Simpsons
fleet have been trying indeed for the in
habitants of the Spanish island. Business
is dead, there is mo- movement of vessels,
and San Juan and coast towns await with
tear and trepidation recommencement of
hostilities. Many people left the capital
several weeks ago, and of those who remain
all are leaving who can possibly do So
There are many whose business requires
their daily presence in San Juan and many
of these men have moved their families to
improvised camps in the country where
they will be out of range of guns, but still
near enough for the men to come daily to
San Juan. This condition has brought about
a large morning and evening suburban traf-
! fic, which is accommodated by improvised
stage lines, carriage service and the rental
| of saddle horses. The railways from the
| city have been crowded the train service
| increased and on the day after the bonn
bardment one railroad carried free of
| charge from the city all those who could
not or did not offer to pay their fares San
Juan papers are agtating the immediate
erection of relief houses near San Juan,
where the poor and homeless men and wom-
| en- of the city can be sheltered out of
harms way in case of another lombard
ment.
The utmost military and naval vigilance
| prevails throughout the island. Anxious
| eyes look seaward by day and by night
| seeking the enemy's vessels as well as the
| long-expected Spanish fleet. The ridiculous
story that Admiral Simpsons fleet APP
preached San Juan on the morning of the
18th showing the Spanish flag and that
crowds of enthusiastic Porto Ricans
| crowded the city walls to cheer the fleet
| from the mother country, is believed in the
| island, and the coast patrols fear a repe-
| tition of the same trick But the Porto
Ricans are thoroughly familiar with one
| American ship, and that is the Yale. This
| big liner has been doing patrol duty around
| ing close in shore. Residents of the coast
know here well, and she is Familiarity called
THE he same boat as before she with the
| caused many false alarms that the Ameri-
| cans were returning. Whenever she is
sighted the troops ordered out guns are
| trained, the Red Cross prepares for emery
| encies, and this vigilance and preparation
are maintained till the Yale disappears.
| ern center of the island that while small
| fruits and certain vegetables are plentiful
| the people have not the money WhereWith
to pay the very small prices that are asked
| for them, that many laborers and farmers
| are without work and suffering hunger,
and that the bread sold is bad and high in
price. The meat supply here is apparently
| controlled by few men. These men are
| taking advantage of the distressing con-
ditions to bleed the suffering and needy by
! holding the meat, which is poor in quality
and lacking in quantity, at exorbitant
| prices. There is much smallpox here as
/ We'll as on other parts of the island and
| Utuado declares that if nothing is done to
| remedy the situation the misery and suf-
| fering will soon be beyond words
| During the days Immediately following
! the bcnbardment food prices advanced
| greatly in San Juan. This was partly be-
cause the country people were afraid to
! sold in San Juan at cents EACH half a
| pound of bread was u cents. and various
| restaurants at once advanced their prices
| from IS cents for bad breakfast to 81 for
worse one.
| If there are no immediate warlike steps
| taken against Porto Rico the prevailing
perturbation will soon cease. and confidence
! will be partly restored But Porto Rico is
already threatened with disorders arising
among the people themselves and the grow
ing scarcity of food if the blockade is main
tanned will only add to this danger.