The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-06

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be seen was sufficient 10 bring excite
ment and annoyance into the lives Of
editors. Coupled with these normal and
accepted circumstances was always the
possibility OF government interference
and the retaliation of your political op-
pOnent should he ascend 90 power Both
OF these contingencies meant im9rison-
mont
SOMETIMES TRUTHFUL
II U.s. said. and the writer has learned
that many truthful remarks are made
in Porto Rico Notwithstanding The aver
age Americans tendency 20 disOelleve
aI that is told him II IS said that after
The elections OF this year, the political
leader who in spite OF the efforts OF bis
many opponents was elected 10 power,
imprisoned every editor in San Juan
ci>s with the exception Of two one be
inr "a close personal friend and the
other the editor Of his own organ. as
well as every editor IN tho whole ISLAND
who had been his enemy during the trou-
blOus days of hts campaigning.
There IS no Porto Rican editor or any
prominence or who has been long en-
gagged 10 journalism. who IS not thor
0ughly familia. with the inside or prison
walls. Papers sprung mp and grew with
mushroom rapldity unu the editor was
hailed 10 Jail. then they We're forgotten
and to-day exist only I'm the rccnliec-
ton OF the fearless young editor who Is
SIN particularly bitter against the man
who sent him to prison.
PARLOUS TIMES.
The war was an especially troubled
and dangerous time for journalists. As
"a result Of the times and consequent
troubles many papers ceased 10 appear.
some for reasons Of wise discretion,
others for reasons entirely beyond the
power and control of the editors.
IS soon as the American forces took
possession Of san Juan. one after an
other Of these journals resumed business.
4. .rrNa. aHa.H HaHna d.
reasons Of their recent discontinuance.
others with a brief outline Of future
policy and an with llOWery welcome
10 the new power I'm the land. Editors
We're feeling their way under the new
conditions and were anxious 10 learn
what freedom they would enjoy. The
writer was approached hy several and
asked 90 explain the measure OF the liD-
critics enjoyed by the press Of the United
states.
THEY TOOK AN ELL.
10 was not long before the press Of
Porto Rico overstepped the liberty al
lowed by the military authority IN the
land. Two papers bro Ponce published
scurrilous and lying articles about the
American soldiers quartered in that city.
This regiment was the First Kentucky.
They were not bamioss in the matter,
their conduct was many things that Il
should not have been but they did not
deserve the criticism melted ont 20 them
Joy lNr newspapers lN 0NrntlDNs 1fifi al
Henry then commander or he Ponce
district. called the editors OF tnese two
papers TO his presence. These men
quickly Acknowledged 20 him that their
remarks about the soldiers were not all
TRUE Then General Henry tod the two
editors something about Kentuckians
and their customs when az home. He
exaggerated "a little 10 be sure but he
had his good reasons for so doing. He
spoke Of the keutuckianS objection 10
rHHa N
people who often took the punishment
of offenders against the national and
State honor into their own hands. lie
incidentally described rawhide whips.
told them how they We're prepared and
how they were sometimes used, spoke OF
the effects Of being beaten by them.
1T g. seldom a man dies from such
whipping" said tho General. but he Is
often pretty wei disngured." Then the
General said he was really sorry Tor
the two editors. lie offered TO give them
n guard Of regulars FOR their protection,
but they family answered they did not
think a. was necessary. The next morn
ing one left the country I'm a slOoD for
ST. Thomas and the other went into hid
Ing outside Of the city. Now that the
First Kentucky Regiment has gone home
the latter has again been seen In Ponce.
TWO WAYS OF DOING 1T.
In General Henry's outline Of policy
as expressed IN his two letters addressed
cabinet. he said that newspapers would
not be allowed 10 critici5e the American
military government Of Porto Rico IL
SO opened that q certain paper. called
FL Pals. had recently done this and
General Henry had the editor of III Pals
brought 90 the palace. The General
there told him that such things could not
be and the editor promptly promised
never 20 DO so again.
When the Spaniards had to bring an
UTffrn fD the N ID
ing or for arrest, they sent TO him n
short note which requested him 70 call
at his earliest opportunity. This he
never failed 10 do. The note sent upon
these occasions began with the ofticiafs
name followed by the words "Neso su5
manos" which means Kisses your
hands" Thus "Senor Don So and SO.
Chief OF Police Of the loyal town OF st.
John tho Baptist kisses your hands and
will YOU come around 10 the Office rs
soon as YOU have timer" Upon receipt
OF such a note an editor was likely 10
grow suddenly pale, but generally III
cigarette and went TO prison with good
grace The American way Of doing this
same thing is n little less courteous. per-
hans. but under our rule there Is much
less chance Of confinement within the
hour We send n cOrpOrals guard with
an officer i'm charge down 10 the editors
office. there are a few words OF eXplana-
ton Fall IN. forward march and the
the commanding General.
The editors. however prefer the old
Spanish way. they object 10 being
marched through the city streets by sol
diors even n they are not going to prison.
The article which caused the arrest
and a warning 20 the editor Of I'll Pats
Is given below. II was published on
November 18th.
THE OFFENSIVE ARTICLE.
"The situation which to-day is upon
usf cannot last much longer because II
Is unbearable and inexplicable.
I'VE are told that a military govern
mont WAS necessary 10 maintain order
and 10 protect life and property. and
that while this military government ex-
listed. Porto Rico would be governed I'M
der her old laws
LAS a result there Is neither the one
thing or the other.
"The disorder In the administration is
on a par with the disorder throughout
the land; one cannot With security live
peacefully IN the country.
Formerly We had peace. to-day 81 does
not exist. Burnings. sackings and at
lacks continue. Even in this capital.
the residence OF all the American off,
Gals there Is hardly a day without its
shooting ARRAY. and then consequent
closing OF doors and general disorder.
lie In one OF the city streets during
ONE seventy shots were ex-
changed. 81.
tinue2 Is the authority 80 impotenE that