Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-17
FACTIONS IN PUERTO RICO.
'iario :. GeiGel Tells How They Have
Injured the Country.

Mario s. Geigel of Puerto Rico is in
Washington. He was private secretary to
General Henry, the first American military
governor of Puerto Rico and was later as
Sociated in confidential capacity with
Francisco Acuna, secretary of state in
General Henry's cabinet. Speaking of af-
fairs in the island and the intense desire
of the people for self-government, Mr..
Geigel said:
I'VE are wide awake to the present alb
normal situation of the island and perfect
ly aware of the fact that only through
our own efforts, weak as they may be-
will this situation cease or at least les
sen in a great measure. To bring the is
land to toerabIe state, banishing from
the heart of its inhabitants the deep feel
ing OF disgust which now prevails is the
desire of all Puerto Ricans who profess
due love to the native soil.
First of all l want to speak uuon the
question mostly considered at the present
time and which is the heart and soul of
the Puerto Rico problem, namely,
Whether or not We are fitted for the full
fillment of the duties involved in universal
suffrage and whether or not we are capa-
bic of governing ourselves. BY CHANGING at
1ashhsht speed, as most visitors have
looked into our situation. one will GER
talnly come to the conclusion that the
governments present views on the mat
ter, together with those of our present
military governor. who honestly believes
We are not prepared nor qualified to meet
the obligations of self-governed people,
are perfectly correct. When Spain held
1ull sway over our destiny, we were de-
clared, through the proclamation of an
autonomous regime, legally capable to
manage our own affairs. The reform nat
uraliy created some excitement. We had
for so long a time lain in the grasp of an
absolute military regime that we We're nat
urally agitated at the realiza ton of our
most persistent desire. DiSsension among
the political leaders ensued, but that was
only natural, and the people of the United
States need not turn their backs on US
on that account.
The agitation was certainly discredita-
Bile, and we all saw with disgust that we
had permitted ourselves to ruthlessly de-
Stroy the amity and mutual respect which
once characterized the native politicians.
Yet that political dissension would have
disappeared had not our military governors
fostered with their lack of tact and states
manship the war which was being Waged
between the two political parties Their
quarrel started over a Spanish law
The departure of the Spanish ofHciate
from the island would have resulted in
the cessation of the quarrel had not the
TWO contendlng parties been recognized by
lhe new government. 1t was a grave mis-
take, and the actual situation of the island
which causes General Davis to think us un-
mt Tor self government, is due to the in
capacity Of our governor generals to look
far into the future in order 10 avoid what
seems today irrenedial.
w sincerely hope that this government
VIII soon place us in a position to show
our AFFINITY to manage our own affairs and
al the same time to win the good will of
congress that II may in the near future
ddIilt US as q territory, eventually adding
70 me nag new star representing Puerto
ltlcO as a state