The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-30
Enjoyed More Freedom Under Spain
Than Now.
TREATED AS PRISONERS
DESPoTIC SPIRIT SHOWN BY
GENERAL FRED GRANT.
Citizens of the Island Dissatisfied
With Military Governmsnt-Pos-
tai Service Worse Than Under
Spain-People Are Docile and
Want Closer Union With Us.

| Correspondence of the Associated Press.)
San Juan de Puerto Rico, Jan. H.
While the Puerto Ricans do not offer
the least resistance to the military adj
ministIation, they make no secret of
the fact that they do not desire its
continuance 1t is not that they object
/ to the Americanization of the island,
but they earnestly wish for civil gov
eminent in some reasonable and prac-
ticable 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 en-
thusiasm every opportunity OF putting
! themselves in touch with the institu-
lions and demands of the new govern
ment, they feel a pride in working out
their own political salvation as free
people, and not as q subjugated one.
They love liberty, and the intelligent
element is convinced that under a civil
administration the country would ad-
just itself to the better conditions Of
fered by the United States.
The military government is thorough
and active. The whole island is eff
fectively patroled, and quiet and order
prevails in every quarter. The Puerto
hiCdIlS sometimes complain lndl the
military authorities interfere with their
civil authorities without adequate rea-
son. Quite frequently of late protests
have been lodged at headquarters
against what the Puerto Ricans have
described as intrusionS by United
States officers in municipal affairs, not
falling within the scope Of their duties.
AS already briefly cabled to the Asso-
ciated Press, the mayor and city coun-
oil Of rN-fr cd Los
in fact, almost rebelled-at what they
considered and called 'unwarranted
military dictation."
GENERAL GRANTS ORDER.
An enterprising Puerto Rican, just
returned from the United States, has
obtained permission from the council
to place small business signs on the
lamp-posts around the plaza. The
signs were neat enough, but they Of
Tended the sight of many of the Ameri-
cans, who complained TO General Fred
Grant, military commander of the dis
trict of San Juan. General Grant sent
a peremptory summons to the council
to cancel the contract and remove the
signs. Puerto Rican pride could not
endure it. The councillors regarded the
order as a last straw, and rendered
their designations to Governor Henry,
the governor of Puerto Rico. There
was no bad feeling.
The councillors merely said that as
they enjoyed so little real authority,
they preferred to give up their posi-
tons. General Henry, however, took
their view of the matter, 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 alcaides of
towns that there is no authority for
any officer or soldier to enter council
meetings or to interfere with or dictate
their proceedings"
IMPROVEMENTS EFFECTED.
Every suggestion of General Henry
has been responded TO with alacrity,
and as a result there is a marvellous
change in the order of things. Econo-
mics have been effected in the various
at the expense of the
army of satellites and the formality
dear to the subjects of kings. The peo-
pie 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;
and, as browning test of popular pa
thence, they put up with a postal serv-
ice which is inexpressibly worse than
Spaniards.
II Is next to impossible for one to
transact business in this island if it be
necessary TO use the mails, for they are
unreliable TO the last degree. Letters
mailed in the San Juan pOStoffice fire.
aueDtly do not reach their destination
in the island for ten days, and a. most
irritating Indifference marks the pro-
cec1ings of the local postal authorities /
The men of Puerto Rico are not re
ligious. Only the women and children
attend church. Yet the church and its
orders have many pleasant associations /
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 it is in |
the United States. An article recently /
appeared in El Liberal the organ of the |
Liberal party, Under the caption, |
Haiti" 1t is known to have been writ
ten by SenCr Munoz Rivera, president |
CT the insular cabinet. 1t called the at
tention of the military government in /
eloquent terms to the 'incompatbility
IF military rule with the development /
Of the best interests of the country"
The writer appealed to the wisdom
ana fairness of the United States gov
.rnment to treat Puerto Ricans as
locile citizens, and not as prisoners"
rhe seaf-restraints and far-sightedness
hat distinguish Rivera's appeal will
10 more to win converts to the Amer
can spirit and the American system
han the orders of military commanders.
WANT FREE TRADE.
Great interest is taken in the action
If congress and the great government
at Washington regarding
Puerto Rico. The new tariff is awaited
7ith much anxiety, interest being CEN
cred upon the course of the United
states regarding the admission of
'uerto Rican sugar and tobacco free
f duty. 1t is contended that if the
Iuty should be taken off the island
would not only be the most prosperous
II the tropics. but would speedily be-
ONE a source of large revenue to the
american government. Even the es-
of n fixed rate of exchange
would not help much apart from this
II important concession. Free trade
nd a more intimate union with the
Jnited States. this is the motto CT the
Puerto Rican. and his policy is to agi-
ate for a civil government as the
Quickest and most effective means of
.mericanizing the island and of secur-