Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1899-03-18
Evidence Of Discomfort Among the In
habitantS Apparent,
Attempts Being Made to Affect An En-.
tente With the Malcontents
of Cuba.

States. In Washington he will, it is
said, endeaYOr 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 them
selves for political supremacy, and he
will urge the withdrawal of Ameri-
can troops from the most important
strategic base possessed by the
United States In Atlantic waters.
1t is known to a chosen few that
Rivera will endeavUr to affect an
entente with the Cuban leaders, and
will seek tn unite his cause with that
Of the Cubans.
Frequent publication Is made In
the local papers Of letters that pass
between the two islands on the sub
ject OF American rule in Porto Rico.
The Porto Rican editors OF SPANS
tendencies and the followers Of Munoz
Rivera refer with sympathy to the
CObuuCO vi fuC OuOduS WhO Vh'J ooJ
worked as a united people for their
independence.
Since his deposition from the cabi-
net by General Henry, Rivera's party
has been the object of a vigorous at
tack by the radicals. Hermanlo Diaz,
the new secretary OF Justice, was ap-
pointed by General Henry, as a repre-
sentative 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 campaign OF abuse
against Diaz and the military govern
ment, They we're warned TO moder-
ate the tone OF their articles, but the
warning passed unheeded. One
morning last week the citizens OF
Ponce missed their papers, aud upon
going down town found the offices
occupied by American troops, who
had been ordered by the district COM
mander TO close the establishments.
The editor of one OF the papers refused
70 submit 90 the officer who took pos
session OF his office. In an alteration
that followed, the editor drew lis
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 unfortunate collisions be-
tween drunken soldiers and natives
have contributed TO the undercurrent
Of bad feeling that runs among the
lower classes
In recent trip around the island a
general feeling OF discomfort and uu-
rest was discovered.
There are a great many idle men all
over the island, and the great army OF
attaches and hangers~on that were a
part Of the Spanish system, and which
occasioned an enormous burden for
the taxpayers, are being DISCHARGED.
The prospect OF building the re-
n.aInder OF the present railroad sys-
TEN by the French railroad company
is hailed with delight by the laboring
men OF the island. A representative
OF the railroad has been travelling
about the island recently, preparing
plans for the eXtenson OF the road.
Planters and laborers alike pray for
the completion Of the road. The COM
pany Is anxious 20 complete the work,
and is now arranging some details
with the local government. NJ. Char
pentier who has been here for sew
eral months, studying this matter,
will depart TOR Washington on the
steamer San Marcos. He will urge
upln the president aud the secretary
of war recognition Of the contract
aud concession OF the French COM
pany.
The new lnsular police has been or
ganized, and employment Will be
given 20 more than 800 men, who
will aid the army, and the municipal
police 10 preserving order. This body
will be conducted on the military
plans aud 10 many respects cores
pond with the Guardia Civil Of Spain
and Mexico.
The politicians here are beginning
to see the irm aud impartial method
OF the governor.genera Is a wise one.
To clearly define the position, the fol-
lowing order was recently addressed
to.the municipalities, dated Febru-
airy 20a
"Alcaldes aud councilmen are re-
minded that orders are issued % lie
obeyed. Ia one case the alcalde aud
council resigned because they sup
posed they had received an order not
agreeable 10 them. No order had
been given, but IL il had been aud
not carried out, the course OF the
council would have been cOntumaciou'
and .in defiance Of authority, and
other acuion would have followed in-
stead Of designations being accepted
1T cannot be too strongly impressed
upOn municipal councils that the Ia
terest, OF the municipalities depend
upon their honesty, zeal and atten
tion 10 duty. Without this, lh'