Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-03-15

A stern indictment of the United
States government, upon the prelimi-
nary charge Of injustice to the people
of Porto Rico, is made by the leading
newspaper OF the island, Diario de
Porto Rico, published at San Juan.
The counts of the Indictment are
specific and ncontrovertible.
"Whcn the United States Army dis
embarked at Ponce and occupied Porto
Rico," says this rsper, 1.-THE Porto
Ricaus nearly all celebrated the event
as an admirable and notable fore
runner Of tho good days to come. A
country that Is freeing itself from
tyranny acelaims its liberators with
expressions OF gratitude and Joy, and
more so when their liberators them.
selves have record Of hundreds OF
battles for liberty and independence F"
But these hopes were not realized,
1.-THE liberty conquered by Washing
ton and Lafayette is not seen in Porto
Rico, we are told" We expected a
civil government md they give us
strict military rule; We wanted self
government and we are Obliged to hear
an absolute government which dis
appeared in Europe with Louis XVI
and Ferdinand VIII. We dreamed Of
the law and aw oke with the sword"
Great confusion exists In our
judicial SYSTEM" continues this stern
prosecutor, and our jurists are in
amaze ignoring Mt times which law
governs aud what criterion is exer-
cised." Criminals are reprieved with
o word, laws revised in minute, and
reforms, such as that Of divorce,
decreud as il the subject treated were
an easy and simple timing In the
matter of public works II is charged
that 1.-The roads are out of repair, the
building of railway does not progress,
no public editicos are in process Of
construction, no big projects are in
view, and no effectual progress OF any
SOFT is made. " The Geographic service
is alleged 10 be retrograding where
before we had 60 Offices in different
parts of the island, today we have only
26. The kilograms are transmitted con-
fusedly and sometimes unintelligibly,
and the cost has increased 66 per cent,
putting the service out Of the reach Of
the majority" The postal service il
pronounced defective and inadequate.
The rates are higher, and in many
places there are no daily deliveries
TIE Irregularities which exist are wors'
: than under the Spanish regime, ant
the islanders have fewer advantages
/, THE letter that formerly took q
hours to reach its destination nov
takes 5s, and thus We vegetate il
| isolation and inertia, y
: This business outlook in the island !
! not encouraging, under American rule
, 1.-THE articles that have a larger con
! sumption" says the Diario de Port
8 Rico, "are dearer, and merchandise
3 increases in price without lowering tn
J duties for our sugar and tobacco. Will
!. the duties are lessened for -four an
$ other American imports. The tariff
still continue, to the prejudice Of com
Q merce and the ruin OF the people,
: Complaints are also made of tn
system of government imposed upo
the island. 1.-THE most lucrative EN-
Q Payments, says this Porto Rico new.
Q paper, 'are occupied by those ne
d natives Of Porto Rico, and ii a
. American and Porto Rican have tt
same employment the American
d salary is larger, without any jul
j. reason which can explain the il
a equality" This discI limitation,
y contends, flowers the self-esteem
"a Porto Ricans and takes away fro
them not only their means. but oil
ii their prestige" The paper describ
p the privileges which Americans eni,
at home and contrasts their enviah
'n condition with the unhappy lot OF ii
o. Porto Ricans. "Such," ii conclude
IN sis our situation, such our disonchan
10 ments; such are our bitter impression
which We feel and express witho
On fear. If they hurt let them hurt;
ns they mortify let them do so. Mu
more are We hurt and mortified tn
~ we should be- treated in such name
PIT We Eegin TO call things by thu
names, for we do not know how
TO cringe before the strong"
Cd Such is our arraignment. our ste
Indictment, by the people of Poi
Rico, speaking through the represent
he tive newspaper Of the island. 1t Ii
Sc feproach to our government and @
IN people. 1t should serve to make Pre-
he dent Mckinley and the members
ed his administration hang their heads
III shame.
he This gem of wisdom about war
va from an editorial in the Baltim,
,,, Sun: lin the United States, as
M. Great Britain, the profits Of the Y
far will go to privileged class, and
,o masses will pay the butchers bill"
30 well as the cost in treasure. Our ar
Tho contractors, shirbuilders and own
nl+ and few manufacturers will gain
,ost that is to be had in the way of pro
"a, from our blunder in the Philippin
an while the gold miners and DIANE
tba miners will derive the only substant
ash benefits from the war in South Airi
NJ War is one-sided business in VIII
ion those who do not ieopardize tn
precious lives carry off the lions sh
of the booty. 1t is strange that the ?