Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-12-07
IN SPANISH COURTS.
Barbarous Methods Employed in
Porto Rico.
HaDsuwfng Recital Of Wrongs En-
aured by Ranehman During
the American Siege Of
the Island =.

At the Plaza hotel is William Borda,
q ranchman and sugar planter in Porto
Rico, who had an experience during the
siege of the ISLANDS by the Americans
that would appear we'll in novel. All
his property, with $500 head Of cattle,
50 head of horses and other live stock,
was confscated by the Spaniards and
he and his family were driven from
their house by the soldiers. Il don't
like to say much about it now because
it is all over" said Mr.. Borda, modest
ly. II and my wife and three children
were shut up in q hotel in San Juan
and closely guarded by the soldiers.
Although l had spent 81 years in Porto
Rico, l am and always will be an Amer
,can. The Spaniards thought that by
holding the. AK over our heads they
could prevent the feet from beginning
the bombardment. At any rate, the
military governor came to me and said:
When you hear the first American gun
boom you will know that your last day
and your wife's and your children's
last day has come. You will be shot
was almost crazy with rage and grief
to think that my innocent wife and
children were to be slaughtered like
cattle, but was helpless and could do
nothing but rave, which seemed to de-
light my jailers very much. I had given
up all hope, because I knew that the
bombardment would be made, and
also knew from long experience that
the Spaniards were quite cruel enough
to carry out their threat. To the Amer
lean consul at St. Thomas we owe our
lives. He heard of our predicament
and by circuitous cable route man
aged to get dispatches to the English
consul at San Juan persuading him to
interfere in our behalf.
when we were finally released from
our prison it seemed like being restored
to life. Is it any wonder am glad the
Americans conquered Porto Rico?
Gen. Brooke restored my property to
me and most of my live stock was re-
covered. The cattle were to have been
disposed of on the day the protocol was
signed. If it had been day later I
wouldn't have any cattle. The better
class of Porto Ricans-that, is the prop
erty owning class-is rejoicing over the
American occupation. They know that
the American government is strong
enough to hold the people in hand, and
that it will develop the resources Of
the island. Shortly before the war
broke out was on the point of closing
G deal with. some London capitalists
who wanted to- buy my properties. I
wouldn't take twice the amount if it
were offered to me now, such is my
faith in America and American meth
DDS. What Porto Rico needs is free
trade with. the United States. When
that is established the island will be-
come Americanized in day. Business
cannot flourish without it, and as yet
the natives have not had an opportunity
to observe the benefits Of American
rule. They have been so long under
Spain that they are suspicious Of all
mankind. Then, too, the politicians
who made a living by their corruption
are trying to stir up discomfort. The
Puros party is favorable to. America,
whereas the liberals are inclined to be
hostile to us. Three months ago one
of my overseers, who was member of
the rural police, was assassinated be.
cause he informed on party of ruffians
who killed calf belonging to neigh
boring ranchman. The assassins, four
in number, were caught with unmis-
taxable evidences of guilt upon them.
l told Gen. Henry that he should court
martial them rs, if they were turned
over to the Spanish civil courts, they
would surely be acquitted. Good man
that he is, he could not believe that the
Spanish courts were SO corrupt, and re-
fused to court-martial the prisoners.
Three days ago 1 received word that
they had all been acquitted. That is
what Spanish courts are like, and we
will all be very glad to see them abol-
ished. We want American methods
and American capital as soon as pos
slDle, but we have no room for roeues
or cranks. would also advise the poor
man to stay away for awhile yet."-N.
Y. Tribune.