New-York tribune., 1899-01-30
PORTO RICAN. AFFAIRS.
PEOPLE OF THE ISLAND WANT A CIVIL
GOVERNMENT.
GENERAL GRANTS ORDER NuLlIFIED BY GEN
ERAL HENRY-PooR POSTAL FAcIIL-
TIES IN THE ISLAND.

GENERAL GRANTS ORDER NClliFiED bf "hN-
ERAL HENRY-PooR POSTAL FAcIIL-
TIES IN THE ISLAND.
San, Juan de Porto Rico. Jan. I7-Whe the Porto
Rcans do not offer the least resistance 10 the mill
tary administration. they make no secret or the
fact that they do not desire is continuance. IL Is
not that they object TO the Amer.canizaton OF the
island but that they earnestly wish Tor a ciVi'
government IN some reasonable and pracucapie
form Under the old Spanish regime. they VIII
tell YOU they enjoyed a higher degree or freeoom
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 a pride in work
ing out their political salvation as a free
people and not as a subjugated one.
QUIET AND ORDER PREVAIL.
The military government ia thorough and active
Tho whole island is effectively patroled' and oue'
and order prevail In every quarter. But the Porto
Ricans sometimes complain that the military au-
thorities interfere with the civil authorities with
out adequate reason Quite frequently OF late pro
tests have been lodged at headquarters against
what the Porto Ricans have described as intrusons
by United States officers in municipal AFFAIRS not
falling within the scope OF their duties. AS aireaoy
briefly cabled TO The Associated Press. the Mayor
and City Council OF San Juan demonstrated last
week-in fact almost rebelled-at what they con-
sdered and called 'unwnrranted military dic'a-
ton" An enterprising Porto Rcan just returned
from the Council to place small business signs
upon the lampposs around the Plaza. The signs
were neat enough but they offended the sight OF
many OF the Americans. who complained 10 ten
eral Fred Grant. military commander OF the DIS
trict Of San Juan. General Grant sent peremp-
tory summons to the Council 10 cancel the contract
and 10 remove the signs. Porto Rican pride couid
not endure II. The Councillors regarded the order
as the last straw and rendered their designations 10
General Henry, the Governor OF Porto RICO Inere
was no bad feeling. The Councillors merely sald
that as they enjoyed so little real authority they
preferred TO give up their positions General Henry
however took their view OF the matter and as
sured them that there would be no further cause
for complaint on the OF military coercion
and he promptly issued an order directing the sec
rotary of State TO Inform the alcaldes OIL towns
that there is no authority for any officer or soldier
TO enter Council meetings or 10 interfere Win oE
dictate their proceedings"
Every suggestion Of General Henry has been re-
sponded TO with alacrity. and as result there
IS a marvellous change in the order or thnss'
Economies have been effected In the various de-
partments at the expense of the army or sateiltes
and the formality dear to the subjects OF kings
The people have accepted with good nature the
new sanitary regulations though these have won
derfully disturbed the uncean and crowded tene-
ment houses that had been regarded with COM
piacency; and as a grooming test OF popular pa
tience they put up with the postal service. which
is inexpressbly worse than anything they were
ever subjected TO by the Spaniards
II is next 10 impossible for one TO transact busl-
ness In this island II II be necessary to use the
mails for these are unreliable TO the lass degree.
Letters mailed in the San Juan postofice frequent
ly do not reach their destination in the island for
ten days
EVICTION OF TEACHING ORDERS.
The men Of Porto Rico not religious sort
Only the women and children attend church. Yet
r11e ant
socations for them. Though they may dislike the
Spanish priests they have good wishes for the
Roman Catholic Church, which they wish TO see
conducted as II is In the United States. with lib
crafty and toleraton. With much sorrow there
fore. they have seen the nuns and teaching orders
elected from institutions where they themselves re-
ceived their first instruction and where their chill
dren had been taught During the Spanish occupa-
ton It was the law and the custom to devote GER
tain public buildings to the religious orders 10 be
used schools; and contracts were made with
the orders 10 instruct the children in consideration
of such occupancy. The buildings were built with
money raised by a voluntary taxation Tor that
specific purpose and the orders in many instances
equipped the schools great cost. Yet here in
San Juan teaching order was dispossessed upon
weeks notice.
Such things may be legally justified. but now they
rudey violate cherished traditions and in the opin
ion Of the average Porto Rican. invade private
rights An article recently appeared In "El LIB
eral" the organ OF the Liberal party. which. under
the caption Halt, expressed the sentiments Of the
people in this matter II Is known to have been
written by Sehor Munoz Rivera. president OF the
Insular Cabinet who called the attention OF the
military government in eloquent terms 10 the IN
compatibility Of military rule with the develop
ment Of the best interests OF the country" The
writer appealed 10 the wisdom and fairness Of the
United States Government 10 treat Porto Rcans
as docile citizens and not as prisoners.
Great interest is taken in the action OF Congress
and OF the great Government Departments al
regarding Porto tariff
is awaited with much anxiety, interest being cen
tired upon the course of the United States regard
ing the admission Of Porto Rican sugar and tobacco
free OF duty. IL is contended that II the duty
should be taken on. the island would not only he
the most prosperous in the tropics but would
speedily become a OF large revenue TO the
American Government. Even the establishment OF
a 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 agitate for civil government as the
quickest and effective of Amercanz-
ing the island. and OF securing its proper develop
ment.
"OUR NATIONAL PERILS.v