The Washington times., 1902-12-10

as the administration what a large num-
Der OF assaults and violations are rep
resented In each one Of these victories
And what is said about this town can be
repeated 10 most every town OF the island
The guaranty OF law was aly-oys a dead
letter for the Fcderalists. which ex-
plains how with one scratch Of the pen
200 Federal voters were scratched OF
the registration list at Rio Piedras and
that In every part OF the island. al
though many Federals we're registered
they could not succeed in casting their
votes because II did not suit the boards
or because when they went to deposit
their votes some Republicans ASSUMING
the names had already voted for tbem
Many Republicans boast Of having voted
ic five or six other precincts without anv
difficulty or objection from the Repuo-
lican majority on the board
Closed Polls on Federals.
That In some towns where our party
had an overwhelming majority the poll
ing precincts were opened two or three
hours beforehand. II was publicly assert
ed that they would allow the Federals TO
win only in the ArecIIIo and Humacao
districts. After the uncivllized attack
on the home OF Munoz Rivera followed
the also unciviIized raid and destruc-
tion OF the printing plant where the
'Diario de Puerto Rico was edited. and
day and night personal attacks upon
peaceable citizens OF the party on the
streets OF San Juan were made. followed
by similar Outrages in numerous towns
Of the island
The laxity with which the administra-
ton and insular police look al all these
things without other result bat the
prosecution Of the victims in most cases
made the party believe that in order 70
triumph they would resort to any and an
means and that the shedding Of Porto
Rican blood would be inevitable.
Insinuations Of Press.
The American Federal party re-
cording in this document its most ener-
getic protest against the numberless
outrages, violence and illegalities com
mitted with impunity in the present
election without the least opposition
from the Government. does so because
IL wishes IL 20 be understood every
time and by everybody that it does
not submit to that mockery and rob
berry. and especially against the lnsinu-
ations OF the Ams-ican press. which.
when informed Of the riots and disor-
ders which reigned supreme during two
months and half. instead OF investi-
eating the true cause OF this phenOme-
non, pointed out sucn facts as a proof
that we are not qualified for the ex-
ercise OF civil and political rights.
Examples Of Self-Government.
Nevertheless. during the last twen-
ty years OF Spanish rule In Porto Rico,
repeated proofs OF our competence we're
given in the solution Of the most com
plicated social and political problems,
TO such an extent that IL brought forth
from the lips Of the learned ministry
OF the crown that beautiful expression,
that there never was danger in Porto
Rico in making any reforms as every
thing in Porto Rico could be done with
imPunity. Standing there TO confirm
this. is the abolition OF slavery in 1873,
and the granting Of self government 10
1897
"As It would be an insult to the
American people 10 say that the oc-
cupatiOn has been a step backward in
the customs and culture OF the country,
yet while heretofore such important
events could have passed without dis
order and riot, the election period OF
1902 has carried to the homes OF peace
ANA c-o-AeLls terror nate anu uedLns
therefore, the American Federal party
IN the name OF honest Porto Ricans who
feel and think Of Porto Ricans who
highly esteem their name and decorum
also protest once and a thousand times
against those gratuitOus statements
and respectfully invite the honest news
papers OF the United States TO study
the causes and details OF Ihe phenOme-
non which has attracted their attention,
and then state honestly il the RESPONSE
5ility Of these deeds belongs 70 the peo-
pie or whether IT lies with the leaders
OF the movement. and TO the officials,
who, through laxity and partiality, have
consented and encouraged it"