The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-08
RESENTED BY PORTO RIcANs.
Statement that Social Disorder Pre-
walls in the Island Is Denied.

walls in the Island Is Denied.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, Dec 12.-There
have lately been published alarmist letters
in American papers concerning the exist
ing conditions of affairs in Porto Rico These
letters create a wrong and misleading i'm
preston and they have been ably answered
in La Tribuna, of San Juan. Following is a
free translation of what La Tribuna finds
to say on this subject:
1--WE had decided to pay no attention to
certain occurrences to which the press in
Ponce has been giving considerable prom
inence. Their publication could not remedy
the wrongs in question, it would only have
added to their unfortunate influence and
effect. But to-day we take the matter up
and with reason. If it is true that certain
crimes were committed in Porto Rico dur
ing the days Immediately following the
American possession Of our country it is
also true that they sprang from old hatreds
and long existing vendettas. When we de-
cided to take up this work Of publicity we
invited our countrymen to send us all pos
sible data and information concerning the
wrongdoers who were given such prom
inence; we now have this Information and
it is the foundation Eor our present attitude
and statements.
I'VE have seen the copy of a New York
paper wherein is printed a letter concerning
these asserted conditions. 1t would seem
that well-known and important business
house of San Juan wrote a letter to Mr..
Lawrence Turnure, of the City Bank, which
describes the social disorder and derange-
ment of Porto Rico. This letter discredits
the Porto Ricans, attributing to them the
worst characteristics of a savage and un-
cultured community. The letter further
estimates the loss to the island resulting
from incendiarism in the rural districts at
$780, eco pesos about 100000 gold)
I'VE have been righteously incensed at
this unfair statement, which proves to us
that the same methods are to-day being
employed to bring calumny and discredit
upon this fair isle that were formerly re-
sorted to in order to influence the press and
government of Spain for the same purpose.
We, the journalists of Porto Rico, whose
desire it is to further the prosperity and
claim the just deserts of this maligned land,
will not silently consent to the employment
Of such measures.
1T is true that there did exist certain
men who, under the mask of patriotism and
with the idea of revenging themselves for
SPANS harsh ways in the past, have COM
mitted crimes and reprehensible deeds. But
they have already ceased their wrons,loing.
The local press took up the matter of their
depredations at the time and we were the
first to call attention to the prevailing ex-
aggeration concerning these doings. Between
the actual facts and the representations
made in the letter addressed to Mr. Law
renee Turnure there is a vast difference.
THE country has not lost 100000 pesos.
az nd
We will explain. This country was OPP
pressed and all the world knows this state
mont TO be true. 1t was a systematic op-
preston that injured personal as well as
general interests. Those who lived in the
country suffered thereby as Well as did
those of US who resided in the cities. Porto
Rico was weighed down by this oppression
as by a milestone. Then came armed inter-
vention. The American army invaded Porto
Rico, and there came to the surface the
worst passions of the country. That this
always happens in war time is we'll known.
Some men sought the satisfaction of per-
sonal vengeance, others tried to settle old
political hatreds. A violent commotion was
started, which grew from it's inception.
There followed occurrences which were most
regrettanle, which we deplore and which
should have been punished. But in what
country or the world, given the same cir
cumstanccs, would the same thing not hap
pen? The local press took the matter up,
censured the offenders advised moderation,
and the whole thing passed like a tempest of
one days duration. To-day there is an end
to 1.-THE country side is quiet, the farmer
is at work and the community is again at
rest and as before. We are good hearted
people, and only in moments of intense ex-
citment is it possible for US tc break from
the paths of peace and kindness that we
justly claim to be our natural way of life
1T is the intention Of the man who wrote
that letter to Mr.. Turnure to SOW in the
United States disconfidence, discredt and
fear concerning Porto Rico Such action is
infamous and ignoble 1t is an old trick
that has often been played under Spanish
rule, and Porto Ricans are quick to recog-
nize it, This is the truth, and if the gov
eminent at Washington would send a repre-
sentative to examine into the reliability of
the statements in the letter addressed to
Mr. Turnure it would learn what we have
here set down. 1t would learn the utter
falsity Of the statement that we have been
damaged to the extent of 100000 pesos
We have no desire unduly to conceal the
wrongs which We know have been commit
ted; neither will we descend to lying and
misleading statements. And furthermore,
the people Of Porto Rico are not responsible