The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-08

Z
Belief That They Will Work to
Their Benefit.
| Correspondence of the Associated Press.)
SAN JUAN (Porto Rico), Dec. r.
| There have lately been published
alarmist letters in American papers
concerning the existing conditions Of
affairs in Porto Rico. These letters
create q wrong and misleading i'm
preston, and they have been ably an
swered in La Tribunal Of San Juan
The following is a free translation of
what La Tribuna'' finds to say on
this subject:
I'VE had decided to pay no attention
to certain occurrences to which the
press in Ponce has been giving con-
siderable prominence. Their publica-
ton could not remedy the wrongs in
question; it would only add to their
unfortunate influence and effect. But
| to-day we take the matter up, and
with reason.
eff it is true that certain crimes
were committed in Porto Rico during
the days Immediately following the
American possession of our country, 1t
is also true that they sprang from old
hatreds and long existing vendettas.
when we decided to take up this
work of publicity we invited our coun-
trymen to send us all possible data and
information concerning the wrong
doors who were given such prominence:
we now have this information, and il
| is the foundation for our present at
titude and statements.
/ 1--WE have seen the copy of a New
York paper wherein is printed a letter
concerning these asserted conditions
1t would seem that a well-known and
important business house of San Juan
wrote letter to Lawrence Turnure OF
the City Bank, which describes the
/ social disorder and arrangement OF
Porto Rico. This letter discredits the
Porto Ricans, attributing to them the
worst characteristics of a savage and
uncultured community. The letter fur
4 Their estimates the loss to the island
resulting from incendiarism in the
rural districts at 100000 pesos (about
So 100000 dollars 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 resorted 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 desserts of this maligned land,
will not silently consent to the en-
ployment of such measures.
| cit is true that there did exist certain
men who, under the mask of patriotism,
and with the idea of revenging them
selves for Spain's harsh ways in the
past, have committed crimes and rep
rehensible deeds But they have al
ready ceased their wrong doing. The
| local press took up the matter of their
depredations at the time, and we were
the first to call attention to the pre-
vailing exaggeration concerning these
doings. Between the actual facts and
the representations made in the letter
addressed to Lawrence Turnure there
| is a vast difference.
1.-THE country has not lost five million
pesos. This statement is calumny
and untrue. We will explain.
This country was oppressed, and all
| the world knows this statement to be
| true. It was a systematic oppression
| that injured personal as well as general
interests Those who lived in the coun-
| try 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 Intervention. 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 well
known. Some men sought the satisfac-
ton Of personal vengeance, others tried
to settle old political hatreds. A violent
commotion was started, which grew
from it's inception. There followed &C.
currences which were most regretable,
which we deplore and which should
have been punished. But in what coun-
| try of the world. given the same cir
cumstances, would the same thing no.
| happen?
1.-The local press took the matter up,
censured the offenders, advised mod
Grafton, and the whole thing passed like
a tempest of one days duration. To-
day there is an end to it; the country
side is quiet; the farmer is at work,
and the community is again at rest as
before. We are a. good hearted people.
and only in moments Of intense excite
ment is it possible for us to 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, dis
credit 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 recognize 1t.
This is the truth, and if the Gov
eminent at Washington would send
| representative to examine into the reli-
ability of the statements in the letter
addressed to Mr.. Turnure, it would
| learn what we have here set down. IL
would learn the utter falsity OF the
statement that we have been damaged
| to the extent of five million pesos. We
have no desire unduly to conceal the
wrongs which we know have been COM
mitted. neither will we descend to lying
and misleading statements. And FUR
thermore, the people of Porto Rico arc
not responsible for these acts OF dis
l.order. any more than the people OF
Spain are responsible for the cruelties
and atrocities committed by Spanish
soldiers in Cuba in the name of the
| law. of order and of the mother coun-
| try.
I'VE would be glad If these lines
should ever be seen by Lawrence
Turnure. This country is enjoying at
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