New-York tribune., 1909-06-01
ANGER In PORTO RICO
CLASH IN ISLAND FEARED
Insults to 4mericqns-The Attdcks
on President Taft.

San Juan, p R. May Is (SpeciaD-Joaqun +.
Rarreiro editor of Eel Carnaval," satirical
weekly paper published in this city, has been ar
rested and put under 5000 bail pending trial for
circulating through United states mail an
obscene caricature of President Taft. An article
accompanying the cartoon assails the President
with abuse ccgched IN the foueSt terms. lie l.
not actually mentioned, but The article IS 80
worded as to leave no doubt in the mind OF the
most careless reader regarding the person alad-
ed
The Unionist press has been faying President
Taft his recommendation to Congress to curtain
the power of the native House of Assembly, each
periodical wing with the other in the bitterness
Of its attack. and this sally of 'El Carnaval" was
hailed appropriate representation. of the
situation.
The American residents received il with ndiEna-
ticn as an act of Caring dsrespect the head of
the nation and many of them laid their heads
together 10 see how the author could be punished
They consider tie offence all the grayer inasmucn
Barrciro is a SpaHiari, and is regarded as haN-
ing abused the freedom which he enjoys under the
American flag. The article could not. however. he
classed a libel. and there was no law to punlsh
him for the cartoon. The difficulty was overcome
by the postoffice authorities. and Inspector Hath-
away out complaint against him III the
United States District Court for violation OF the
postal laws in circulating obscene matter through
the mail
This island IS in a state Of effervescence over
the which its political affairs have taken at
Washington. and the action which Congress may
take 10 repair the breach between the Executive
Council and the House of Delegates is awaited
with painful anxiety. Commissioner LarrinaGa'S :
reported statement that little is lacking 10 bring
natives and Americans to blows seems to he true,
and he local press unconsciously. perhaps Is dong
It's u. It to bring on the catastrophe.
Credit is due to the Americans here for their
f,rb.arance under the most trying circumstances
They have borne and bearing with heroic pa
ttenre abuse which is raiued upon them day after
DIV Many of them are in way connected WITH
the administration and keep aloof from politics
Their efforts are directed toward developing the
resources Of the country, and some OF the most
valuable properties and important industries ana
lIusierea kings are in their hands. yet to certain
element :hcy are '.AmerioanOs," meaning members
OF a race to ho abhorred The ignorant are taught
to regard them as opIrsssors and explorers rep
tiles 10 be driven from the land IhlS IS oolIe
openIv but no attempt at retaliation has been made
,y those Americans who aSsall'd ana reNiie'
through the press. public meetings and IN prl-
vate conversations at clubhouses and restaurants.
Much of the evil might have been avert"d by
granting citizenship TO the natives In spite oil all
mar has been done for them by the United states
they feel that they are strangers in their own
land for the soil is American, but they are citlz'hs
of nowhere There Is a provera among the" il''
rh.. "Americauos want the cage, but would gladly
feelings and shows how uEscrupulous or foolish
politicians have found fertile soil in which TO 80"
the seed Of hatred and dissension.
The crisis is far more serious nan Us De"e'e'
in the United States