The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-06
CRIMINALS IN PORTO RICO.
JUDGES AFRAID TO SENTENCE,
THIEVES AND BANDITS.

Gen. Henry Changed Things When
He Took II Hand-Siilitary Commits
sion Appointed 10 Try Cases
Where the Courts Fail to Act-A
Lieutenant Arrested "a Famous
Bandit and Shot Him Down When
He Attempted to Escape.
Correspondence Associated Press.
San Juan, Porto Rico, Dec. 18-The
| question Of the disorders prevailing in the
interior of Porto Rico has been greatly ex-
| aggerated. OF this there is no doubt. but
that they have existed, and in some dis
! tricts TO a serious degree, has been prov
| ed.
They We're most prevalent during the
first two weeks following the American
| occupation of San Juan Houses and
| farms We're burned, men were maltreated
and killed. cattle were manned and trav-
elers were robbed It was the purpose of
the American commanding general to
teach the country people to rely upon
themselves and their municipal police for
protection in this matter, and in normal
conditions they probably could have done
so. But the conditions then prevailing
We're abnormal, and before them\the Porto
tdcanS, who in some things are as chill
! dreh, VINO, when danger threatens run
screaming to mother, were helpless.
The conditions We're abnormal because
the guarda civil, that much and Justly
feared body Of Spanish police. has been
recently removed because prisons had
| been emptied and criminals were at large
in the hills, because mems passions we're
iniiamed by the war, and any excuse and
opportunity for the wreaking of old per-
sonal vengeances was eagerly seized upon
by the disOrderly element and also he
cause this same element saw the inability
of the authorities to control the situation
Judges Were Afraid.
Men were arrested for burning and as
| sault and brought to the civil courts But
| civil judges were afraid to sentence them;
| the bandits threatened the judges with
! dire punishments should they do so and
this was enough to stop the flow of jus
| uce. Such prisoners were either liberated
| upon himsy excuses or given opportunity
| to escape. This had its demoralizing eff
| feet upon the community and men strong
| ly criticised the American administration
| for not taking active steps to prevent
| these wrongs.
The Porto Ricans are unused to taking
| care of themselves and they failed sign
ally when they were suddenly confronted
| with this most serious state of affairs a
| condition which they were told TO regu-
late unaided and alone. They have not
! the grit nor the self-relance that made
| famous certain communities upon our own
| frontier they are not an aggressive peo-
pie and could not become so upon sudden
necessity and notice.
Henry Took Hand.
Up to the time that Gen. Henry was in
stalled chief of the island there had not
| been one case of arson or murder brought
| TO trial before the civil courts. The jails
were fun of prisoners, but the judges
were incompetent ana afraid to proceed
! with their trials. The American soldiers
| grew tired of bringing in prisoners who
We're soon liberated and again at large
! There was the case of a leader of bandits
| in a village near Fajardo, for instance.
| This man was well known and there was
| no lack Of evidence against him to secure
/ conviction and punishment. Each time
| the Americans arrested him the civil Judge
! gave him his liberty. He was a disturber
| of the peace and the Americans grew tired
| of The oft repeated farce of his arrest.
| certain lieutenant was finally ordered
! to arrest him and give him good chance
to escape while conveying him to Jail.
! Should the bandit embrace the opportunity
! thus afforded to gain his freedom the lieu
| All of which happened. People said well
| done and they were seemingly right.
To Have Military Trials.
Gen. Henry has appointed a military
| commission, which will in all cases where
| thel ocal judges are unable or unwilling to
| do their duty, proceed with the trials end
| sentencing of all criminal prisoners now
upon the dockets of the islands courts
There are ninety untried cases in the dis
| trict of Arcade alone and it is officially
reported that there have been but three
| fires there since Nov. ]. Prompt measures
like this will have a wonderfully good eff
| feet.
Burnings and disorders are not nearly as
| prevalent now as they were seven weeks
ago. The people are calming down.
spnniards Detest Americans.
prominent plantation owner, in speak
ing of the situation said, among other
things:
1.-THE Spanish element remaining in Porto
Rico that has owed its past prosperity 10
favor from their own government. detest
and hate the American military authorities
now existing on this island. Certain Of the
native mulatto population whose dreams
of hope and plumber are unreaiized are
united with the Spanish element in their
hatred. These elements have combined
hoping TO obtain some other form of gov
eminent more conducive 60 their desires.
They obstruct and discredit as far as
possible the present administration of pub
lie affairs in Porto Rico. They are respon-
slble for the circulation of many false ru-
mors.
at should be stated in this respect that
there exists here to-day a strong Spanish
element who are clearly in favor Of he
lust and equable administration of the
United States in Porto Rican affairs"
CHINESE FoCT-BINDING.