New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-13
FATHER SHERMAN'S VIEWS.
HIS REPORT ON HIS OBSERVATIONS IN
PORTO RICO.
THE ISLAND PEACEFUL AND THE PEOPLE
KrNpLY-THE STATE OF RELIGION


UNSATISFACTORY.
Washington. Jan - lspeciaD.-The War Depart
| ment to-day made public extended abstract OF
an Instructive and interesting report from Father
Thomas r. Sherman upon his receipt trip through
the island OF Porto Rico.
Father Sherman left San Juan on october ID.
and visited Arecbo, Utado and Lares, and thence
proceeded south to Adjuntas alone and unarmed
and without; Witnessing any disorder Subsequent
Is Father Sherman visited Coamo. Aibonito,
Cayey. Caguas. Aguas Buenas. Juncos and HUI
macao. All OF these towns he found In perfect
peace and full Of the sense Of security. Late In
December Father Sherman says, he visited the
towns Of vicques. Fajardo and Carolina. with the
same result
AS far his observations went. Father Sher-
man says that he found the people Of Porto Rico
gentle. doclle and kindly and that the Spaniards
living there rejoice with their Porto Rcan friends
In the change Of sovereignty. The disorderly ele-
ment is small fraction In the teeming population
of the island. There is timidity expressed on
the part of property holders. but this is largely
due to the paternal system TO which they have
been accustomed. The state Of the roads the
island is wretched. Excepting the main carriage
road from Ponce 10 San Juan, with a few short
branches. the remaining roads UNIT for
riages and wagons. and In desperate need OF
extensive repairs and improvements. In many
places they are absolutely impossible by wagons
The municipalities plead inability to make improve
ments, owing 10 lack Of means Father Sherman
says that liberal public outlay the roads would
add immensely TO the commerce and security Of
the island. The first piece of road to be improved
should be that from Ponce TO ArecIbo, connecting
with the portions already projected and partially
constructed by tho Spanish Government
Father Sherman says II ls common talk that the
disorders Of the last months have been caused by
bands composed partly Of prisoners released by the
Spa nards and OF Spanish soldiers discharged and
ainr tho nd ha
about the island alone and as rule unarmed. for
the last three months. having visited many priests
and acaIdes and prominent merchants, he Is
strongly impressed by the fact that profound re-
spcct is felt for American authority and the ut
most confidence In the courage Of any and all OF
men. The Latin races. he says. are far less
frank than our own, and somewhat more timid.
The tics OF knshp and friendship often lead to the
sheltering of criminals and failure TO bear Wit
ness. Fear magnifes the slightest dangers and
wars alarms cast long shadows. He thinks there
is reason look with pride the fact that Porto
Rico has passed through serious political and
national crisis without losing town or crop. or
in any way enduring She serious consequences Of
war save In the suffering Of some individuals
THE ISLANDS MANY NEEDS.
At the same time, he says he cannot too strong
" emphasize the needs OF island at once trop-
ica and mountainous where the bandit finds
myriad hooks for hidrg. and easy sustenance. even
cd and overcrowded population leaves large
numbers out of employment an island whose
moods can be met only by the strong hand of the
military arm. aided and abetted by system OK
civil police and rural guard composed, where pos
sble of some of the better class of Porto Ricans.
and by holding all civil authorities beginning with
the commissaries of the barrios, personally re-
sponsibe for the good order OF their districts The
barro in Porto Rico is the initial political unit.
like the town in New England. The Commissary Is
the.Justce Of the Peace He and his friends and
relatives can and should prevent the gathering OF
bandits All commanders. even OF the smallest de-
tachments should be well informed OF all this, ana
should help to emphasize the responsibility OF the
commssares This being done 1t would seem that
Porto Rico can be easily governed. and VIII prove
TO be In many senses veritable paradise Inc tel
enhone can easily be used in districts where danger
exists 10 give prompt warning TO the authorities
Father Sherrnsn says that the state OF religion on
the island is ma IN haSdsoma
edifce the services are poorly attended, All the
inhabitants Of the island, with few exceptions are
men arc more than Catholic in name. They are
ba ptized married and buried by the priest that IS
the extent of their Catholicism. Now that me
priests deprived OF governmental aid' many are
leaving the country. and intend to depart be-
fore the winter is over. moderate percehtaSe OF
the clergy are OF native origin. and these Will be
pathy with the new order OF things ana nave q
chance OF procuring more desirable parishes, owing
ish clergy. The Church in Porto Rico has been so
united with the State and so Identified with II IN
the eyes Of the people that 1t must share the odium
with which the Spanish rule Is commonly regarded.
Complaint is made that the priests were 100 inucn
interested in political matters. that they preached
Spain instead Of the Gospel. and that many dis
cellent priests in Porto Rico. and the women and
children are In a great part practically Catholic.