The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-03-18
Contumacious Journalists Squelched
BY American Soldiers.
SPIRIT OF REBELLION
THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT
ABUSED BY THE PRESS.
Editors Refused to Change Their
Course, and Soldiers Took Posses
sion of the Newspaper Offices
Many Collisions Between Drunken
Natives and Soldiers.

San Juan Gle Porto RICO, Mdrcn D..
Munoz Rivera, until recently secretary
of state in the Porto Rican cabinet and
the most accomplished politician in the
islands, will leave here on March 10 for
Cuba, where he will hold conferences
with the Cuban party and then pro-
coed to the United States. In Washing
ton he will, it is said, endeavor to at.
tack the military government without
attacking the military governor He
will demand a civil government for his
people, who are now bitterly warning
among themselves for political suprem--
acy, and he will urge the withdrawal OF
American troops from the most i'm
portant strategic base possessed by the
United States in Atlantic waters.
1t is known to a chosen few that
Munoz will endeavor to effect an en-
tente with the Cuban leaders and Will
seek to unite his cause with that OF
the CubanS.
Frequent publication is made in the
local papers of letters that pass be-
tween the two islands on the subject
of American rule in Porto Rico The
Porto Rican editors of Spanish tenden-
cies and the followers of Munoz Rivera
refer with sympathy to the conduct OF
the Cubans, who, they say, worked as
a united people for their independence.
Since his deposition from the cabinet
by General Henry, Rivera's party has
been the object of vigorous attack by
the radicals. Hermanio Diaz, the new
secretary of justice, was appointed by
General Henry as representative OIL
the liberal party and because of his re-
lations with Rivera, whom the general
desired to treat with consideration.
Three of the four newspapers OF
Ponce began a campaign OF abuse
against Diaz and the military govern
ment They were warned to moderate
the tone of their articles, but the warn
ing passed unheeded. One morning last
week the citizens of Ponce missed their
papers and upon going down town
found the offices occupied by American
troops. who had been ordered by the
district commander to close the estap-
lishments. The editor of one OF the
papers refused to submit to the ofhcer,
who took possession of his office. In an
alteration that followed the editor
drew a. knife A soldier from Missouri,
in the excitement of the moment, used
his fist with almost deadly effect upon
the fighting journalist. 1t was some
hours before the latter revived.
Many unfortunate collisions between
drunken soldiers and natives have con-
tributed to the undercurrent OF PAD
feeling that runs among the lower
classes.
GENERAL Discomfort.
In a recent trip around the island a
general feeling of discomfort and un-
rest was discovered. There are a great
many idle men all over the island, ana
the great army of attaches and hang
ers-on that were a part OF the spanish
systems and which OccaSloned an enor-
NOUS burden for the taxpayers are be
ing discharged.
The prospect of building the remain
der of the present railroad system by
the French railroad company is hailed
with delight by the laborlng men OF
the island a representative OF the
railroad has been travelling about the
island recently preparing plans for the
extension of the road. Planters ana Ia
borers alike pray for the complexion Oh
the road. The company is anxious 10
comn1ete the work and is now arranS-
mo some details with the local gov
eminent. NJ Charpantier, who mas
been here for several months studying
these matters, will depart for WashlnS-
TON on the steamer San Marcos. He Will
urge rpon the president and the secre-
tarv of war a recognition of the con-
tract and concession OF the french
company.
The new insular police has been or
eanized and employment will be given
10 1nore than 900 men, who will aid the
army and the municipal police IN pre-
serving order This body will be con-
Quoted on the military plan and IN
MANY respects correspond to the GUAR
dia. Civil of Spain and Mexico
GENERAL HENRY'S FIRMNESS.
The noliticians here are beginning to
nd mn
of the governor general is a wise one.
To clearly define his position, the fol
lowing order was recently addressed 10
the municipalities, dated Feb. 20:
"AIcaldes and councilmen are re-
minded that orders are ISSUED 10 oe
obeyed. In one case the alcalde ana
council resigned because they supposed
they had received an order not agree
able TO them. No order had been given,
INT if IT had been and not carried out,
the course of the council would have
heen contumacious and in defiance OF
authority and other action would nave
followed instead of designations being
accepted.
ut cannot be too strongly impressed
upon municipal councils that the inter
ests of the municipalities depend upon
their honesty, zeal and Afternoon 10
duty. without this, the people they
represent suffer and the progress of the
island is held back No more important
body of men exists than the various
councils and the people should insist
upon being properly represented by
their hest men and no others and it
should be considered an honor to hold
such positions of responsibility
"They must learn one lesson, how
ever. that is, before they govern others
or can give proper example to people,
they must govern themselves and obey
promptly all legal orders, submitting
for appeal any unjust ones, which Will