The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-30
IN PORTO RICO.
Resume Of the Situation
AS 1t Now Exists.

| Correspondence of Associated Press. J
San Juan de Porto Rico Jan. IL
While the Porto Ricans do not offer the
least resistance to the military admin
istration, they make no secret of the
fact that they do not desire it's continu-
ance. 1t is not that they object to the
Americanization of the island, but thSy
! earnestly wish for civil government,
in some reasonable and practicable
form.
Under the old Spanish regime, they
will tell you, they enjoyed higher de-
gree of freedom than now, and though
they seize with sincere enthusiasm
every opportunity for putting them
selves in touch with the institutions and
demands OF the new government they
feel pride in working out their own
political salvation as a free people. and
not as a subjugated one. They love lib
erty and the intelligent element is con-
Vlnced that under civil administration
the country would swiftly adapt itself
TO the better conditions offered by the
United States. The military government
i is thorough and active.
Inc whole island is effectively pa
troled, and quiet and order prevails in
every quarter But the Porto Ricaps
some times complain that the military
authorities interfere with the civil au-
thorltles without adequate reason. Quite
j frequently of late protests have been
lodged at headquarters against what
| the Porto Ricans have described as in
trusions by the United States officers
IN municipal affairs not falling within
the scope of their duties.
AS already briefly cabled to the Asso-
ciated Press, the mayor and city coun-
eli or san Juan demonstrated last
week-in fact, almost rebelled-at what
they considered and called "unwar-
ranted military dictation." An enter
prising Porto Rican just returned from
the United States, has obtained permits
sion from the council to place small
business signs upon the lamp posts
around the plaza. The signs were neat
enough, but they offended the sight OF
many of the Americans, who COM
planned to Gen. Fred Grant, military
| commander of the district of San Juan
Gen. Grant sent a peremptory summons
TO the council to cancel the contract
and to remove the signs. Porto Rican
pride could not endure it. The coun-
cilors regarded the order as a last
| straw and rendered their designations
to Gov. Henry, the governor of Porte
! Rico
There was no bad feeling. The coun-
cilors merely said that as they enjoyed
/ so little real authority they preferred
TO give up their positions Gen. Henry
however, took their view of the matter
and assured them that there should be
no further cause for complaint on the
score of military coercion; and III
promptly issued an order directing tn,
secretary of state to Inform the al
cades Of towns that there is no author
ity for any officer or soldier to ente1
council meetings or to interfere With o.
dictate their proceedings"
Every suggestion of Gen. Henry ha
been responded to with alacrity, and a
a result there is marvellous chang
in the order of things. Economics hav
, been effected in various department
at the expense of the army of satellite
and the formality dear to the subject
Of kings The people have accepted wit
good nature the new sanitary regula
tons, though these have wonderful
disturbed the unclean and croWde
tenements that had been regarded wit
complacency, and as browning ties
OF popular patience, they put up wit
the postal service, which is inexpress
, IDLY worse than anything they wer
ever subjected to by the Spaniards.
The men of Porto Rico are not re
ligious. Only the women and children
) attend church, Yet the churches an,
! It's orders have many pleasant associa
lions for them. Though they may dis
like the Spanish priests, they have goot
wishes for the Roman Catholic church
which they wish to see conducted as [
is in the United States.
An article recently appeared in r
Liberal, the organ Of the liberal party
under the caption, Halt" 1t is known
to have been written by Senior Muno.
Rivera, president of The insuar cabi
net. 1t called the attention of the mil
ltary government in eloquent terms t
. the "incompatibility Of military rul,
, with the development OF the best in
terests of country"
The writer appealed to the wisdom
} and fairness Of the United States gov
eminent to treat Porto Ricans as do
cile citizens and not as prisoners" TIL,
self-restraint and farsightedness tina
distinguished Riveras appeal will d.
more to win converts to the American
spirit and the American system thai
the orders of military commanders.
Great interest is taken in the action
OF congress and great government de
partments at Washington regardin,
Porto Rico. The new tariff is awaited
with much anxiety, interest being cen
tired upon the course of the United
States regarding the admission of Por
to Rican sugar and tobacco free o
duty. 1t is contended that if the dut,
? should be taken off, the island woult
not only be the most prosperous in tn
tropics, but would speedily become
source of large revenue to the Ameri
can government. Even the establish
ment of a fixed rate of exchange woul,
/ not help much apart from this all i'm
, portant concession.
Free trade and a most intimat
, union with the United States, this /
the motto Of the Porto Rican. and hi
! policy is to agitate for civil govern
ment as the quickest and most effect
i've means Of Americanizing the islam,
= and Of securing its proper develop
| ment