The National tribune., 1903-09-10
THE AMERICAN.
SPANISH WAR,


when he took a letter which had been
sewed inside of his shirt. written on fine
French notepaper. in the Spanish Ian
guage, and handed it to, me, the transla-
ton of which is as follows:
FROM \ PORTO RIcAN PATRIOT.
To the Chief Of Operations of the Invad-
ing Army of the American Union.
Citizen: Not knowing exactly how l
ought to guide myself in entering into
direct communication with your camp. 1
direct this to the Chief of Operations to
express to you my duty in these historical
moments and that trust in the power of
strong conscience and in the valor of arms
as they pertain to the great issues Of lib
erty and Of patriotism in this island. An
absolute military censorship shuts out
from the city the means of obtaining the
new., and l wish that you and your com
panions may know the true feeling of our
municipality. Here we wait with impa-
thence American occupation that comes to
break the chain that has been forged con-
stantly during four centuries of infamous
spoliation, of torpid despotism and shame
full moral slavery. When the ruddeis OF
the American ships entered the waters Of
the coast of Guanica to bear to this coun-
try political revolution, great confidence
was born again, again was awakened the
ideal of sleeping patriotism in our CON
sciences and the lullaby Of perfidious
promises which have never been fulfilled.
An entire city, with the exception of those
who live under the shadow of pretense
and official immunity. is prepared to sol
emnize the glorious triumph Of civiliza-
ton and offers its blood as Il holocaust to
such grand proposition. Let this mes
sage bear to you notice that our municipal
conscience does not sleep and wait. Here
you can count on the great masses who
are prepared to second your gigantic
strength. All the districts of this juris-
dction are prepared for combat. The dis
tricts Of the city are also prepared. Men
Of intrepid heart surround me ready for
the struggle. The only thing that pre-
vents the manifestation of unity is an abb
solute need of the elements of war. On
the other hand, we have already driven
from the town our eternal enemies to the
rights of Porto Ricans. l do not wish to
impose upon my ideas of patriotism the
grave responsibility of directing my men
upon the enemy without capacity to MAIN
tain the struggle. In this moment Of &C.
tivity may this communication serve to dis
pose you to embrace an opportunity to
utilize the services that 1 offer. Before
closing, l wish to warn you that at the
entrance to this city, on the roads Of Ad-
juntas and Canas, the Spanish Govern
ment is actively engaged in constructing
several trenches to fOolishly obstruct the
march Of the army of liberty, and they
are concealing themselves in the small
neighboring hills and difficult passes In
the canyons in order to carry out this re-
sistance. With many wishes for your
health and much appreciation of the great
triumph Of America. l am your humble
servant, FELIX MATo BERNIER.
July 26, 1898 Ponce, P. r..
The above illustrates the sentiment of
the Intelligent portion of the people of
Porto Rico, as well as the courage that
would prompt a man to write a letter
Of that kind and send it through the Span
ish lines, thereby running the risk Of
death, If not torture, in case Of discovery.
In fact, the atrocities that were perpe-
trated upon men holding such sentiments
within our own time would better be-
come the people OF the dark ages than Of
the nineteenth century under so-calied
civilized Government. There are men who
exhibit hands the joints Of which have
been crushed by the blows of a hammer,
or feet the soles of which have been
shaved of and they afterward compelled
to walk on the gravel road between Ponce
and San Juan. They can show other
scars and mutations by which they have
been tortured, when their only offense
was love of liberty and hope of freedom.
indicated in the above letter, and the cour-
age to write them under such circum-
stances, are richly deserving of their
liberty. To such people it was my plea
sure to issue the following
PROCLAMATION:
Headquarters Of the Army Of the United
States,
Ponce, Porto Rico, July %. 1898.
To the Inhabitants Of Porto Rico:
In the prosecution of the war against
the Kingdom Of Spain by the people Of
the United States in the cause of Liberty,
Justice and Humanity, its military forces
have come to occupy the Island of Porto
Rico. They come bearing the banner of
seek the enemies Of our country and yours,
and to destroy or capture all who are in
armed resistance. They bring you the
fostering arm Of a Nation of free people,
whose greatest power is in its Justice and
Humanity to all those living within its
fold. Hence the first effect Of this Occu-
patton will be the immediate release from
your former political relations, and it is
hoped a cheerful acceptance of the Gov
eminent of the United States.
The chief object of the American mill
tary forces will be to overthrow the armed
authority of Spain and to give to the peo-
pie OF your beautiful island the largest
measure Of liberty consistent with this
military occupation. We have not come
to make war upon the people of country
that for centuries has been oppressed. but,
on the contrary, to bring protection, not
only to yourselves but to your property, to
promote your prosperity and bestow upon
you the immunities and blessings of the
liberal institutions of our Government. 1t
is not our purpose to interfere with any
existing laws and customs that are whole
some and beneficial to your people so long
as they conform to the rules of military
administration of order and justice.
This is not war Of devastation, but
one to give to all within the control Of its
military and naval forces the advantages
and blessings Of enlightened civilization.
NELSON A. MILES,
Major-General, Commanding q. 8. Army.
This was seed sown on good ground,
and bountiful and speedy harvest of pa
triotic sentiment was the result. The
sentiment spread like magic over the is
land. 1t caused a large number Of VOL
unteers Immediately to desert the cause
and colors Of Spain. They returned to
their homes, surrendered their arms and
equipments, and took the oath of allie
glance to the United States; and this had q
discouraging and demoralizing effect upon
the regular troops of the Spanish Govern
ment, which greatly aided US in the con-
quest Of the island.
A SWIFT CONQUEST.