Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-07

The union party, composed of citizens who
resented what was termed the arbitrary
rule of Governor Hunt and who led the re-
dictionary movement which finally wrested
control from the republicans.
Mr.. Larrinaga, who formerly minis
ter Of the interior OF Porto Rico under the
Spanish regime. is a well-known civil en-
gineer. and left many public and private
works in which he was engaged in order to
represent the people of Porto Rico on the
floor Of the House of Representatives in
his capacity resident commissioner. He
is about sixty years old, a scholar and
political economist. and it is his greatest
ambition to see the legislation relating to
Porto Rico amended SO as to provide for
''home rule in its truest sense. To this
end he will devote his energies during the
next session of Congress. The resident
commissioner will not remain in Washing
ton long on his present visit After becOm-
ing familarized with the present situation
as far as relates to Porto Rico, and secur-
Ing official introductions TO President
Roosevelt, the members of the cabinet and
other officers of the administration in
Washington he will return to Porto Rico
and escort his family back to the United
States.
Conditions in Porto Rico.
Mr.. Larrinaga talked very freely and en-
tertainingly to a Star reporter today con-
corning the past. present and future con-
ditions of Porto Rico. He was especially
loud in his praise of Governor Winthrop
the present head of the Porto Rican gov
eminent, whom he characterized as a high
minded, upright and eminently and exceed
tngly fair and just executive. Under Cow
ernor Winthrop's administration, Mr.. Lar
rinaga said, conditions had wonderfully
improved Under Governor Hunt mob rule
had prevailed. At that time the republican
or rather the sO-called republican, element
was in an overwhelming ma jority The
union party, including in its ranks some of
the most prominent men of the island
was practically deba FRED from participation
In the elections. Governor Hunt controlled
the police, he said, and the police controlled
TIE electlons. Every member of the union
party who tried to vote in those days Mr.
Larrinaga said, did so at the risk Of a
cracked skull
Now. however, conditions were vastly DIFF
kereht. Gov winthrop had given his prom.
fse when he entered upon his duties that
ne would be just and fair in all things and
those who desired to vote at the polls would
De given a chance to do so. no matter to
what party they belonged. and that prom
1se had been kept. As a result of this an
nouncement the union party had taken
heart and the verdict al the polls had DEM
onstrated the true sentiment of the island.
The campaign issue was almost entirely IN
connection with the abuses under the Hunt
administration.
Mr. l4arrinaga was elected resident conn
missioner 10 succeed Mr.. Degetau by a
publican opponent. This was the largest
vote ever cast in the island. and would
have been at least 40 per cent larger the
resident commissioner said today but for
the attitude of the republican election Off
Gals. who were exceedingly unfriendIy
and who when they saw the upheaval that
threatened. delayed the voting at the va
rious polling places so much that when
the polls closed at least 40 per cent of the
union voters We're left with their ballots
stu undeposited.
Disagrees With Mayor.
MIR. Larrinaga said he has the highest
respect for Robert II. Todd, the mayor of
San Juan, Porto Rico. who is a colored
man. but that he did not agree with the
latter's views TO the de-Americanization
of the island. Mr.. Todd, who called on
the President yesterday. was quoted as say
ing that we are doing everything we can
TO Americanize our people and make Porto
Rico typical American territory, but we
cannot hope to do successfully If the
old American officials do things to reawak-
en- the spirit of the old Spanish days I
know nothing that has been more harmful
in that respect than the recent action OF
Secretary Post in introducing In the execu-
tive council bill TO restore the original
coat of arms of Porto Rico. When the
Americans took charge OF the island they
appointed committee to provide for q
new coat of arms.
This was done without protest from any
quarter, Porto RiCdnS agreeing that the
abolition OF everything Spanish would be
the quickest way of changing the people
The new coat of arms was a patriotic one,
the centerpiece being the American flag
with the rising sun. indicative of a new
regime and hope. No fault could be found
with IT, and yet Mr.. Post an American
official of high standing, proceeds to in
troduce bill to restore the old coat of
arms. emblematic of Spain and the tradi-
lions of that country.
Difficulties Overestimated
Mr.. Larringa said he thought Mr. Todd
overestimated the difficulties OF the situa-
tion. He mentioned of his own knowledge
that the new coat of arms of Porto Rico
had been sketched in hurry by Governor
Hunt or his friends. and 1t was evident
that the change was made by persons
Ignorant of the traditions of heraldry.
He thought the controversy as of no
great Importance. one way or the other,
but took exception to the views of Mr. Todd
that action to restore the original Spanish
coat of arms would be a step toward the
characterization of the island
Mr. Post, he knew, was a man of the
highest intelligence, who was working for
Porto Rico and the Porto Ricans and who
understood conditions on the island better
than almost any one else.
Mr.. Larringa said he would work during
the next session of Congress to secure the
election of the executive council Of the