Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-30
CONDITIONS IN PORTO RICO
Military Administration Crates on
the sensibilities of the Inhab-
ftants of the Island

itants of the Island
SAN JUAN DE PORTO RICO. Jan. IT.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.)--
While the Porto Ricans do not offer the
least resistance to the military administra-
tion, they make no secret Of the fact that
they do not desire It's continuance. 1t is not
that they object TO the Americanization OF
the island. but they earnestly wish for a
civil government In some reasonable and
practicable form.
Under the old Spanish regime, they will
tell you they enjoyed a higher degree Of
freedom than now and though they seize
with sincere enthusiasm every opportunity
for putting themselves in touch with the in
stitutions and demands OF the new govern
ment. they feel pride in working out their
own political salvation as a free people and
not as a subjugated one. They love liberty
and the intelligent element Is convinced that
under a civil government the country would
swiftly adapt itself to the better conditions
offered by the United States.
The military government is thorough and
active. The whole island Is effectively pa
troled and quiet and order prevails In every
quarter. But the Porto Ricans sometimes
complain that the military authorities inter-
fere with the civil authorities without ade-
quate reason. Quite frequently Of late pro-
tests have been lodged at headquarters
against what the Porto Ricans have de-
scribed as intrusions by United States off,
GERS in municipal affairs not falling within
the scope Of their duties. AS already briefly
cabled to the Associated Press the mayor and
city council OF San Juan demonstrated last
week. in fact almost rebelled. At what they
considered and called unwarranted military
dictation.
An enterprising Porto Rican has Just re-
turned from the United States with per-
mission OF the council to place small busl-
ness signs on the lamp posts around the
plaza. The signs were neat enough, but
they offended the sight of many of the
Americans and General Fred Grant. military
commander of the district Of San Juan. Gen
eral Grant sent peremptory summons to
the council to cancel the contract and re-
move the signs. Porto Rican pride would
not endure 1t. The councillors regard the
order as last straw and rendered their
designations to Governor Henry, the gov
ernor of Porto Rico. There was no bad
feeling.
The councillors merely said that as they
enjoyed SO little real authority they pre-
ferred to give up their positions. General
Henry, however. took their view OF the mat
ter and assured them that there would be
no further cause for complaint on the score
of military coercion. and he promptly is
sued an order directing the secretary Of
state to Inform the alcaldes of towns that
there is no authority for any officer or SOL
dier to enter council meetings or to inter-
fere with or dictate their proceedings"
Every suggestions Of General Henry has
been responded to with alacrity and as a
result there is a marvellous change in the
order of things. Economies have been
effected In the various departments at the
expense OF the army OF satellites and the
formality dear to the subjects Of the kings.
The people have accepted with good nature
the new sanitary regulations. though they
have wonderfully disturbed the unclean and
crowded tenements that had been regarded
with complacency ana as crowning test Of
patience they put up with the postal service,
which Is inexpTessibly worse than any
thing they were ever subjected to by the
Spaniards
1t Is next to impossible for one to trans
act business in this island If 1t be necessary
to use the mails, for they are unreliable to
the last degree. Letters mailed in the San
Juan postoffice frequently do not reach their
destination in the island for ten days and
most irritating indifference marks the
proceedings of the local postal authorities.
The men OF Porto Rico are not religious
Only the women and children attend church,
yet the church and its orders have many
pleasant associations for them. Although
they may dislike the Spanish priests they
| have good wishes for the Roman Catholic
church, which they wish to see conducted
as 1t is In the United States. An article
recently appeared in Ell Liberal the organ
or the Liberal party, under the caption
Halt"
1t Is known to have been written by
Senor Munoz Rios, president of the insular
cabinet. 1t called attention to the military
government In eloquent terms to the "in-
compatibility Of military rule with the de-
Veiopment OF the interests of the country
The writer appealed to the wisdom and
fairness of the United States government
TO treat Porto Rcans as docile citizens and
| not as prisoners"
The self-restraint and farsightedness that
distinguishes Rios appeal will do more to
win converts to the American spirit and the
American system than the orders of military
commanders.
Great interest Is taken in the action of
congress ana OF the great government de-
partments at Washington regarding Porto
anxiety, interest being centered upon the
course OF the United States regarding the
admission Of Porto Rican sugar and tobacco
free OF duty. 1t Is contended that if the
duty should be taken Off the island would
not only be the most prosperous in the
tropics, but would speedily become a source
OF large revenue to the American govern
| ment.
Even the establishment of fixed rate OF
exchange would not help much apart from
| this all-important concession. Free trade
and more intimate union with the United
States, this is the motto Of the Porto Rican
and his policy is to agtate for a civil gov
ernment as the quickest and most effective
means Of Americanizing the island and Sc
curing Its development.
| Garlani's Remains.
ST. LOUIS. Jan. 2y-The remains OF the
late ex-Attorney General A. II. Garland
arrived here this evening from Washington
ID. C.. over the Baltimore L. Ohio South.
western railway. ACCOMMODATING the hod v