Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1901-04-26
NE PORTO RICO SITUATION.

he PORTO RICO SITUATION.
De present situation in Porto Rico Ell
large interests in the minds Of those
have become interested 10 the future
lat island. Its capture by the army Of
United States was comparatively unat
ed by the bloody incidents which are
ut inseparsble from an army Of con.
4.
he inhsbitAnts, instead Of meeting our
manders with iorcible resistance, vel.
ed our soldiers az friends. Instead Of
ence they were hailed Is deliverers from
nish oppression. They had ismiliArized
nselves With the story Of the freedom Of
people, the liberality Of our laws, the
istian sentiment OF our rulers, the just
OF Our intercourse.
he Porto Ricans were rejoiced that they
e To become part Of the great repub-
would be sharers in the splendid his
which q century Of honest faith bad
sted 10 mankind Is the object and aim Of
eople who enjoyed liberty and who were
IIous 10 extend the blessings OF free gov.
ment W the Oppressed inhabitants Of the
md Of Porto Rico.
10 trouble followed the occupancy Of the
ind by our troops. Intercourse proved
{ the Porto Ricans were overlooking
ID gratitude and devotion to their con
errors and love for the people Of the United
ties. They FASTENED 10 the utmost obedl-
,e which was demanded. Our Christian
esident was loud in bis congratulations 10
! own countrymen on the mighty work
rich our armies had performed, and SEEM
ely stretched his parental care over bis
nquered subjects. He was quick In point
out the "plain duty" Of his administra-
~. and comforted the Porto Ricans with
e assurance that justice, enlightenment,
nerosity. liberty and mercy should soon
, their portion. That the strong bat be-
On arms Of the United States would no,
erely shelter them from all exterior forces,
II would induce them into wsys which
ould crown their new relations with peace
ID prosperity. At the very moment when
was 10 make the ideal fact,
miserable sentiment, like serpent, crept
TO the mind and heart Of our good Presi-
,nt and changed all bis intentions The
brit Of commercialism seized him. The
end Of greed and plumber took possession
! him, and all his charitable sympathies
ere surrendered 10 the consuming de.
lands Of "thrift" He gave up all his just
nd honest convictions and replaced those
no looked upon Porto Rico and its inhAb
ants a. fields for "Aggressions." Military
rlers placed them at the mercy OF com
The avenues Of trade were closed. No in
recourse was permitted with the markets
which they had formerly sold their pro-
ucts The return Of their harvests, whether
I field or factory, were ordered housed in
! prepared shelters. where they might rot
abor was left without reward. Thousands
T the people starved thousands OF both sexes,
ungry and almost naked, Travelled scores
miles To military headquarters 10 plead
" help or the privilege oi selling the re
Its Of their labors No relief was given q.
lrong men, suffering mothers, whose foun-
Tins Tor sustaining infant life had dried up,
outh and old age succumbed TO the con
ant privations and found peace 10 graves.
nd thus was the pledged faith, the IN.
FINISHED honor OF our Government, the IN
uestioned desires Of our people violated
nd dishonored.
For weeks the telegraph has brought 10.
diligence that an exodus has been inaugu
aied in Porto Rico. that thousands Of its
eople are leaving the island, that "Com-
lercialism" is busy performing another Of
. hated offices. II is organizing emigra
ION movements. Under contracts, which
1e Thrift" Of Commercialism has denied /,
Is inducing the people " fly from the i'm
overished condition Of their native land
D find homes in distant countries, where
abOr may be had. where the strength Of
heir bones. the sinews, and even the blood
1 their hearts may he coined into the de
lands Of Commercial thrift" Thousands
men are being shipped N South American
ountries, where they may briefly live and
peediIy die. under the permission, at least,
Z the government OF the United States
fen and women, citizens Of Porto Rico, are
INT from their homes and from the bastared
berty which has been given 10 them by
be United States 10 strange and distant
ands. where they can be driven as slaves,
nd from whence the walls Of their anguish
will never he heard except as II reaches
lin who has declared, vengeance Is mine,
nd will repay"