The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-01-30
THE PORTO RICANS
Oppose the Continuance Of Military
Government.
WANT ISLAND AMBRGCANIzED
But They Earnestly Desire civil
Government in Some Reasonable and
Practicable Form Less Freedom
Now Than Under the spaniards.

Practicable Form Loss Freedom
Now Than Under the spanlards.
San Juan de Porto Rico. Jan 30
While the Porto Ricans do not OFFER the
least resistance 10 the military admin
istration. they made no secret OF the
fact that they do not desire its con
tiuuance. 1t Is not that they object to
the Americanization Of the island. but
they earnestly wish for a civil govern
ment In some reasonable and practl.
cable 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 for putting
themselves in touch with the lnstitu-
tions and demands of the new govern
ment. they feel pride in working out
their own political salvation as a free
people. and not as a subjugated one.
They love liberty, and the intelligent
element is convinced that under a civil
administration the country would
swiftly adapt itself to the better con-
ditions offered by the United states.
The military government is thorough
and active. The whole island is ef-
fectlvely patrolled, and quiet and or
der prevails in every quarter. But the
Porto Rlcans sometimes complain that
the military authorities interfere with
the civil authorities without adequate
reason. Quite frequently Of late pro-
tests have been lodged at headquar-
ters against what the Porto Ricans
: have described as intrusions by United
States officers in municipal affairs not
falling within the scope OF their du-
I ties. AS already briefly cabled, the
mayor and city council of San Juan
remonstrated-in fact, almost rebelled
at what they considered and called
''unwarranted military dictation."
An enterprising Porto Rican, Just re-
turned from the United States, had
obtained permission from the council
to place small business signs upon the
lamp posts around the plaza. The signs
were neat enough but they offended
the sight of many OF the Americans,
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 TO remove
the signs. Porto Rican pride could not
endure it. The councillors regarded the
order as a last straw and rendered
their designations to General Henry,
the governor of Porto Rico. There was
. no bad feeling. The councillors merely
said that as they enjoyed 50 little real
authority, they preferred to give up
their positions. General Henry, how
ever. took their view of the matter aud
assured them that there would be no
further cause for complaint on the
score Of military coercion.
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
| departments. 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
| these have wonderfully disturbed the
| unclean and crowded tenements that
| had been regarded with complacency
and as a crowning test Of popular pa.
tience they put up with the postal SER
| vice. which is ineXpressibly worse thar
anything they were ever subjected tC
| by the Spaniards.
1t is next to impossible for one tc
| transact business in this island IL it be
necessary to use the mails. for these
are unreliable to the last degree. Let
ters mailed in the San Juan postoffice
| frequently do not reach their destina-
tion in the island for ten days, and q
most irritating Indifference marks the
proceedings of the local postal authori.
ties.