The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-17
AFFAIRS IN PORTO RICO.
Rivera VIII Protest Against the Military
Government

correspondence OF the Associated Press
san Juan de Porto Rico. March C.
Munoz Rivera, until recently secretary of
state in the Porto Riean cabinet and the
most ACCOMPLISHED politician in the is
land, will leave here on March 10 for
cuba where he will hold conferences
with the Cuban party and then proceed
to the United States. In Washington he
will, 1t is said, endeavor to attack the
military government without attacking
the military governor. He will demand a
civil government for his people. who are
now bitterly warning among themselves
for political supremacy, and he will urge
the withdrawal of American troops from
the most important strategic base now
j possessed by the United States in Allan
tic waters. 1t is known to a chosen few
mat Munoz will endeavor to effect an en-
~tente with the Cuban leaders and will
seek to unite his cause with that of the
Cuhans
Frequent publication is made in the
local papers of letters that pass between
the two islands on the subject of Ameri-
can rule in Porto Rico. The Porto Rican
editors of Spanish tendencies and the fol-
lowers of Munoz Rivera refer with SYM
PATTY to the conduct of the Cubans, who,
they say, worked as a united people for
their independence.
Since his deposition from. the cabinet by
! al i1tlHS, RIVERA 3 party mas Depn
the object of vigorous attack by the
radicals fernando Diaz. the new secre-
tay of justice was appointed by General
Henry as a representative of the liberal
party and because of his relations with
Rivera. whom the general desired to treat
with consideration. Three of the four
newspapers of Ponce began a campaign of
abuse against Diaz and the military gov
eminent. They were warned to moderate
the tone of their articles, but the warn
ing passed unheeded.
One morning last week the citizens of
Ponce missed their papers and upon go
ing down town found the Offices occupied
by American troops. who had been or
dered by the district commander to close
the establishments. The editor of one of
the papers refused to submit to the off,
Ger who TOOK possession of MS office. In
an alteration that followed the editor
drew a knife. A soldier from Missouri.
in the excitement of the moment, used
his fist with almost deadly effect upon the
fighting journalist. 1t was some hours
before the latter revived. Many unfortu-
nate collisions between drunken soldiers
collisions between the drunken soldiers
and native soldiers have contributed to
the undercurrent of bad feeling that runs
among the lower classes.
In a recent trip around the island gen.
eral feeling of discomfort and unrest was
discovered. There are a great many idle
men all over the island and the great
army of attaches and hangers-on that
We're part of the Spanish system and
which occasioned an enormous burden
for the taxpayers. are being discharged
The prospect of building the remainder
of the present railroad system by the
French railroad company is hailed with
delight by the laboring men of the island
representative of the railroad has been
travelling about the island recently pre-
pairing plans for the extension of the road
Planters and laborers alike pray for the
completion of the road. The company is
anxious to complete the work and is now
arranging some details with the local
government. Nj. Carpenter. who has
been here for several months studying
this matter will depart for Washington
on the steamer San Marcos He will urge