Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-07-06
PORTO RlCO's BRIGANDs.
Business 7 hat Has Been Abolished Since
the American Occupation.

A Business ] hat Has Beon Abolished Since
tho American Occupation.
The death knell of brigandage in
Porto Rico was sounded when the
American troops landed at Guanica.
Up to that time brigands had been ac-
tive. Now few, II any, remain. Since
early last January there has been no
Indication whatever of their existence,
and the band that made manifesto
ton then was believed to be the only
one that had not yet quit business. Its
experience ON that occasion was such
as to discourage it. The brigands had
no sooner begun operations than word
was sent to the military post at Are
cibo about them. A squad of sharp
shooters was Immediately detailed to
look after them. The soldiers soon
came up with them and opened fire.
The brigands were far in advance ut
the time and We're mounted on the
swift-footed little mountain ponies
which Porto Rico produces. They,
therefore, escaped, but the incident
opened their eyes to the fact that
American troops have different and
far more unpleasant way of dealing
with such things than the old Spanish
civil guard.
Prior to this, from the beginning of
the American occupation, there had
been few and poorly organized raids.
Indeed, 1t long ago became evident
that the great leaders or captains of
the bandits of Porto Rico had for
saken the calling. The overthrow of
Spanish sovereignty was sufficient TO
rid the island of them. AT the coming
of the American troops they dug UP
their gold and silver and other valua-
bles and fed from the island. There
are holes to be seen in the ground
and mounds where holes have bean
dug and then refilled near some caves
in the Ponce district the former hot
bed of Porto Rican brigandage, and
the country people say that at these
spots was hidden the plunder of these
outlaws prior to the American inva,
sion.
They were brigands in every sense
of the word, not merely petty male
factors, but robbers, kidnappers, cut
throats and footpads. They waylaid
travellers, levied blackmail on planters,
pillaged homes, killed for pay and
even made descents upon villages for
booty. Some of them made specially
of removing hated persons, receiving
for their services from 500 to $500,
according to the financial ability of
the person hiring them and the prom
inence of the intended victim or his
fighting ability. The people of Porto
Rico tell to-day with a certain pride
that these cut-throats never betrayed
a patron. The two most famous lead
ers in the business up to the time of
the American capture of the island
were Pan Blanco, or "White Bread"
and Aguila Blanca, or "White Eagle"
When the city of Ponce fell into the
hands of the American troops Pan
Blanco fed incontinently. His record
was so bad that he could expect no
mercy. Aguila Blanca stood his
ground and decided to see what the
Americanos We're like. The result of
the scrutiny was favorable so he came
into the city, said he wanted to lead a
better life and would reform if the
Americans would permit him, and
asked for and received sort of safe
conduct.
Aguila Blanca's life is exemplary,
fully justifying the safe conduct
which General Henry gave him.
When Agulla Blanca asked for 1t he
wrote that he had been man of the
woods out of undying implacable hat.
red for Spaniards; and now that they
had been driven from the island he
had no further incentive to war
desired to return to civilized life and
be law-abiding citizen of his beloved
native island.