The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-22
WITH MILES
Is Lieut.. Col. Butler Ames
On the Bad Beet.

'To my mind Porto Rico is destined
to prove one of this country's most
valued possessions. Of all the territory
acquired in the late war, it bids fair
to prove the most valuable. Cuba we
have practically agreed to give an in
dependent government. The Philippines
are in doubt Porto Rico on the other
hand is ours unquestionably. Its inhabi-
tants are loyal and have no greater am
bition than to become American cit
liens. In two years / think it viii be
given a territorial form Of govern
ment.''
That was the statement of Lieut.. Col
Butler Ames before the Mems Union of
Old South church last evening. The ex-
periences of a three months campaign
in the island formed the subject of the
speakers address.
The meeting was thrown open to the
public. Members Of the union brought
their wives and lady friends. The
church platform was hung with drap-
cry of flags. Handsome pictures of
Washington and Mckinley We're dis
played. A military aspect was lent to
the occasion by the presence of Battery
3, who attended in a body with its
officers. A large delegation from the
Military Academy occupied front seats.
Lieut.. Col. Shumway of the Second
regiment occupied a seat on the plat
form.
Col. Ames evidently sides with Gen.
Miles, his late commander, on the beef
question. 'The poor quality of the beef
was first noticed while on the way ia
Porto Rico" he said. Officers and men
were unable to eat it and numerous
complaints were made to Gen. Miles
H. al.
to prove his case on that trip.
Everything was of the poorest quail
ity for a tropical diet. 1t is little wonder
that our boys sickened. We, had no yell
low fever or malaria to contend against
in Porto Rico. The only disease of great
danger was typhoid fever which we
probably brought with US Therefore
almost all the sickness resulting from
that campaign can be traced to the i'm
proper nourishment offered us by the
government. The soldiers profited little
from foraging expeditions.
After we landed in the island the
native Porto Ricans fell upon the
Spaniards with great fury, looted their
estates and often mutilated and killed
the owners. The rest demanded protec-
ton, and SoldierS-neVer more than two
were detailed to guard plantations II
happened more than once that two
Yankee soldiers turned and routed
bands of native Porto Ricans number.
ing from 40 to 200 when the latter at
tempted to attack them. The detail
to guard estates was the most popular
Of all with the soldiers, as the lanc
owners treated them like princes"
Col Ames says the condition of the
Spanish church in the islands was cor
rupt beyond expression. The priests
came from Spain and had grown rich
by extorting large sums from the PEG.
pie.
Col Ames told how the labor move
ment had penetrated to Porto Rico. il
a strike on a coffee plantation, wher
he was in Aracibo, the coffee pickeri
cut off the noses and ears of those WHIT
took their places The greatest ambi
ton of the Porto Rican, says Col
Ames, is to become a citizen Of tn,
United States.
Already the heavy taxes required Of
butchers and bakers have been abol
ished under the new regime. But if The
islanders think they are to escape al
taxation, they are doomed to dsap
pointment, for the government ha;
ordered internal revenue taxes on run
and tobacco that may make trouble.
After the lecture, an informal recep
ton was held, giving all in the audi
ence a chance to greet the lecturer.