Evening star., 1899-03-11
HENRY WILL TIGHTEN REIN
General Finds Porto Ricans Incapable of
Self-G0vernment,

The correspondent of the Chicago Tri-
bune at San Juan Porto Rico under date
of March L. writes his paper that the situa-
tion on the island has become very critical,
owing to the strained relations between the
American military forces and the natives
He quotes General Henry as saying:
Il need twice the troops l have. Because
of the easy victory of our troops here in the
war, and the apparent friendliness of the
natives to the American soldiers when they
invaded the island, a notion prevails in the
states that there is little necessity for a
strong force to maintain order in the island
The idea is erroneous.
'"The conditions here are alarming These
people have been given every opportunity,
but they have thrown them aside. They
are clamoring now for local self-govern-
ment. They are no more fit for local self
government than am to run a locomotive
More troops are needed in the island The
seeds of discomfort, planted by professional
agitators, are rapidly growing, and can be
kept down only by strong military force.
THE ill-feeling between the natives and
the American troops seems to grow strong
er every day. The American officers have to
maintain the greatest vigilance to prevent
their men from wreaking vengeance on the
natives, and especially on the native police
for acts of violence that are continually
committed against the troops"
The correspondent then cites instances of
clashes between United States soldiers and
natives, many such disturbances occurring
with the native police appointed under Gen
eral Henry. Here is one instance:
AT Caguay, small town on the military
road, twenty-five miles from San Juan, a
soldier of the 147th New York was murdered
last Saturday night in manner that illus
trates the treachery of the natives. Pri-
vate Michael Burke of Company l. had en-
tered the Porto Rican Literary Club of Ca
quay, and was sitting at table reading
when native slipped up behind him, and
with one stroke of machete, sbarpened to
a razor edge, severed the soldiers head
from his body and sent it rolling across the
foor Another soldier happened into the
club some time afterward and saw the dis
membered trunk Of the dead man still in
the chair, with the head lying where it had
rolled.
Several Porto Ricans were standing quiet
ly around discussing the matter No one
would admit having seen the murder COM
mitted. Suspicion finally fixed upon one
man. but when provost guard went out
to arrest him he had fed, and, although
the entire country around Caguay was
thoroughly searched for the murderer he
has not yet been found"
In conclusion he quotes General Henry as
saying he had made a mistake in giving the
Porto Ricans too much rein in an effort to
give them an opportunity to govern them
selves, and that the grim old soldier now
proposes to haul In the slack" quickly
An Associated Press dispatch from San
Juan de Porto Rico yesterday says: The
letter said to have been written early last
month by Gen. Maxine Gomez to Senior
Eugenie Hestes of this island, and publish
ed In La Discussion, at Havana as well as
many American papers, in which the writer
said he would aid the Porto Ricans In every
way possible, & and II necessary even by the
having bad effect on certain classes OF
Porto Ricans.