The Irish standard., 1901-04-13
STARVATION IN PORTO RICO.

- W '''' 'ii uii'uNNS uuS lllc OllU
Ricans when Gin the cause of human
ity' the United States went to war
with Spain to free Cuba from Weyler-
ism and avenge the explosion of the
Maine. Though the little island was
at peace with Spain, the aCministra-
tion ordered General Miles to invade
it with his troops, and he did so. He
was received with acclamaton by the
inhabitants. When he told the people
that the island would become one of
the states of the American Union they
were exceedingly glad and shouted
themselves hoarse for the starry ban
ncr Of the republic of Washington.
Jefferson, Jackson and Lincoln Gen
eral Miles was honest in what he told
the Porto Ricans and had no intention
of dcceving them. They implicitly be-
licved him and felt happy.
In the course Of events they learned
to their dismay that they would be d-
rectly governed from Washington as
they formerly were from Madrid and,
what is worse, that they could not
send representatives to the American
congress as they did to the Spanish
cortes. They would be governed, as a
colony by an American appointed by
President Mckinley, and they would
have to pay him for the performance
of his duties, whether satisfactory to
them or not
Being intelligent people they soon
realized that Porto Rico under the
American flag would be ruled as the
American colonies were ruled by
George III. of England. Turning to
the Declaration of Independence they
read Jcffcrson's Indictment against
that monarch, and they knew what
was in store for Them One of the first
things President Mckinley sent them
was "a swarm of officers to harass
the people and cat out their sub
stance" The next thing he did was
to force a law through congress for
the benefit of American trusts, depriv-
ing them of free trade and thus Grip
ping their commerce.. The result of
this vicious legislation is now perccpti-
bic. A dispatch from San Juan says:
"The markets are paralyzed. The
warehouses are full of tobacco. There
is no sales for coffee. The people arc
denied citizenship. and are left like
prisoners on the island to starve These
things appeal to the people more than
implanting schools and other reforms.
Utterly heartsicl, the people gather ut
the wharyes. gaze out on the water
and beg of shipowncrs to take them
anywhere. Thousands are going to
Hawaii. Cuba. San Domingo, Ecuador
and other points,"
The planters and merchants Of the
island are circulating petition to re-
move Governor Allen and appoint an
other in his place. But Mckinley will
pay no heed to their petition. The
plutocratic papers are praising Aliens
administration. The Chicago Tribune
eXtols him MS follows:
president Mckinley has done Il
good service for Porto Rico in per.
suading Governor Allen to continue
his work rs governor of that island
Mr.. Aliens administration has beer
wise and successful. The island is en-
tering upon an era of prosperity sucl
MS it has never before known. and
Governor Allen, who is now thorough
ly familiar with the needs of the PEG
pic, is the right man to complete the
good work.
How can the island be entering
upon an era of prosperity when the in
habitants are starving? They are now
leaving the island to seek homes else
where. The exodus is due not to any
want Of work to be done, but to thu
Inability Of the small planters to pa.
for having it done. If things continue
the planters will have to 20 with the
laborers.
What is the Mckinley administra
ton doing to relieve the distress? Alb
solutely nothing. What has the i'm
perialist press to say? Nothing. I,