Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-03-16
PORTO RICANS
ARE RESTLESS.
Munoz Rivera will Leave for Cuba
and Washington.
DEMAND CIVIL GOVERNMENT
rx.sse,.,.r, of state for the Island
Ask. tor withdrawal Of U.s.
Troops.

San Juan de Porto Rico. March g.
tcorrcspondcnce Of the Associateh
Pr,as.l-Munoz Rivera. until recently
secretary " state In the Porto Hieah
cabinet and the most accomplished
politician In the island. viii leave mere
on March 10th for cuba. where he VIII
hold conferences with the Cuban party
and then proceed 10 the United states
In Washington he will. Il II said en-
deayor 10 attack the military govern
mont without attacking the military
governor. lie will demand ciNI
government for his people who are now
bitterly warning among themselves for
political supremacy. and he VIII urge
the withdrawal Of American troops
from the most important stra,cgtic
base possessed by the United states In
Atlantic waters. -.
IL Ia known to n chosen few that
NunoH will cndcavor to effect an en-.
tente with the Cuban leaders ana wiz
seek to unite his cause with that OF
the Cuhnns.
Frequent publication IL 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
tendencies and the followers OF Munox
Rivera refer with sympathy To the con-
duct OF the cubann. who they say
worked M a united people for heir IN
dependence.
Since his deposition from the cabinet
by General Henry. Rivcra'a party mas
been the subject OF n vigorous attack
by the radicals.
Hcrmnnio Diak. the new secretary OF
No. lt..tas Al
renry aH a representative Of the liberal
party and because OF his relations with
Rivera. whom the general desired to
treat with consideration. Three OF
the four newspapers of Ponce began
campaign OF abuse against Diaz ana
the military government
They were warned to moderate the
tone Of their articles. but the warning
passed unhcedcd. one morning last
week the citizens OF Ponce missed
their papers. and upon going down
town, found the offices occupied by
American troopa.who hnd been ordered
nv the district commander 10 close the
establishments. The editor OF one OF
the papers refused To submit to the
officer who took possession Of Ills office.
In an alteration that followed the
editor drew his knife. A soldier from
Missouri. In the excitement OF the mo-
ment. used his fist with almost deadly
eject upon the fsh,ing journalist. II
was some hours before the latter re-
vivcd.
Many unfortunate collisions between
drunken soldiers and natives have
contributed To tho undcrcurrcnt OF bad
feeling that runs among the lower
classes.
In a recent trip around the island
general feeling of discomfort and un-
rest was discovered.
There are n great many idle men all
over the island and the great army OF
attaches and hanEcrr-on that were n
par: 81 the Spanish system and which
occasioncd an enormous burden for
the tnxpaycrn. an" being discharged.
The prospect Of building the re-
mnini.r of the present railroad system
by the French railroad company II
hailed with delight by the laboring
men OF the island.
A representative Of the railroad has
been travelling about the island recent.
ly,nreparing plans for the extension OF
the road.
Planters and iaborcrs alike pray for
the completion Of the road. The COM
pany l. anxious to complete the work.
and IN now arranging some details with
the local government. NJ. charpcn-
tier. who has been here for several
months. studying this matter. Will de-
part for Washington on the steamer
Fan Marcos. lie VIII urge upon the
President ana the secretary o. war, "A
recognition Of the contract and COnccH-
sion OF the French company
The new lnsulnr police has been or
ganixed and employment Will be given
10 more than 900 men who IN aid the
army and the municipal police In pre-.
serving order. This body '"ill be con-
Quoted ON the military plans. and In
many respects correspond 10 the
omnrdla civil OF Spain and Mexico.
The politicians here are beginning to
See the arm and impartial method Of
the governor general II n wise one, 10
clearly define his position. the follow
Ing order was recently addressed To
the municipalities. dated February 90:
"Alcnldca and councilmen are re-
minded that orders are Issued to be
obcycd. In one ease the alralde aud
council resigned because they supposed
they had received an order not agree.
able 10 them. No order had been
given, but " II had been and not
carried out. the course Of ,no council
would have been contumaclOuH and In
defiance Of authority and other action
would have followed instead OF rcsig-
nations being accepted.
1T cannot be too strongly Impressed
uron municipal councils that the inter
csir OF the municipalities depend upon
their honesty, zeal and attention To
duty. without this. the people they
represent suffer, ana the PROGRESS of
the island Il held back. no more i'm,
porihnt body ~ men exists than the
various councils, ana the people should
insist upon being properly represented
by their best men and no others. and
n should b" considered an honor To
hold such positions ~ roE3 visibility.
They must learn one lesson, how
ever and that IN. that ieforc thry
govern others or can give proper ok.
ample to people. they must govern
themselves and obey promptly ali legal
orders, submitting for appeal any un.
Just ones, which viii always be RENE.
died
ny command Of Major General
Henry.
w y. HALL.
Adjutant General"
Jail Delivery In Colof..io