The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-09
MAJOR GENERAL MILES AND PORTO
RICO.

An important contribution to the Porto
Rican discussion is the statement of DR..
j. Julio Henna, Of New York, a native
Porto Rican and a member of the delega-
ton which went to Washington a few
weeks ago to ask Congress to fulfill the
promises made by General Miles in a
proclamation issued at the time Of his &C.
cupation of the island in July, 1895. DR..
Henna y 1--WE expect and shall insist
that this government fulfill it's part of the
when an alliance was made with Porto
Rico He says further, that in March,
1898. before the war with Spain began,
he called on Assistant Secretary of War
Roosevelt and on the President and as
sured them that in the event of war the
people of Porto Rico would welcome an
rexation to the United States provided she
could enjoy the liberties, immunities and
privileges of other Territories of the United
States. AS matter Of fact they did well
come our forces and accepted annexation
gladly. 1t cannot be supposed they ex-
pected to be differentiated from the rest of
the American people by a fiscal policy
never practiced or suggested before.
The expedition under Major General
Miles for the occupation of Porto Rico
landed July Is. 1898. at Guanica. fifteen
miles west of Ponce. On the 18th the port
and city of Ponce were occupied without
G.s-- .L@% ~ A.. OQ&t. 49, w. r.
partment gave out for publication a dis
patch from General Miles In which he said
Ponce and it's port have a population of
$50, 600. now under the American flag. The
the flag with wild enthusiasm" On the
18th General Miles issued a proclamation
in which he said:
In the prosecution of the war against
the King OF Spain by the United States.
in the cause Of liberty, justice and hu-
manity, its military forces have come to
occupy the island of Porto Rico. They
come bearing the banners of freedom,
inspired by a noble purpose. They
bring you the fostering arms of a free
people whose greatest power is justice and
humanity to all living within their fold.
They have not come to make war on the
people of the country, who for centuries
have been oppressed. but on the contrary.
to bring protection, not only to yourselves
but 10 your property, and to promote your
prosperity and bestow the immunities and
blessings OF our enlightened and liberal
institutions and government.
The mayor of Ponce issued a highly con.
| gratulatory proclamation In response, and,
as far as the Porto Ricans were con-
| cerned. the conquest and occupation OF the
island We're complete. As General Miles was
acting under direct instructions from the
President the people have a right to hold
the United States government to exact
compliance with the promises made and
the hopes held out by his proclamation
That he felt authorized to proffer the
| people full participation in the immunities
and blessings OF our government Their,
can be no doubt. and that he is still OF tn,
opinion that the United States ought t
90 as he said it would is shown by a lettel
| from him to tie Cuban League, OF New
York. under date OF the 9Th inst. in which
he says:
n seems TO me that the soul OF our I'm
1 stitutions Is the equality OF man I'm tn,
enjoyment OF life. liberty and the pursui
| OF happiness. The pursuit of happiness. O
course. implies equality in the rights o
property, the accumulat5ntof property an,
the disposition Of the same. 1t seems Il
' me that there could be no doubt as to tn