Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-15

| SAN JUAN, PORTO RICO. September
| li-Porto Rico OF lS9S and Porto Rico
! lied. dirty and unhealthy place. The
latter is pulsing. progressing. rapidly
oaichins- island Under American
comcc TO Porto Rico. There has been
more advancement in the twenty years
OF American occupation than was made
island. Yet to-day Porto Rico and its
{ chief city. san Juan. lack much that
would appeal to n reSiden; of the United
states.
From the conditions that made mos,
of the island heli-hole before the
Spanish American War, Porto Rico has
emergSc cleaned UP in many ways.
frightened and checrcd here in San
Juan by the guiding hand of the United
states, pushed forward in the cultiva-
zion OF the land throughout the island
by TIN, encouragement uc Anne + lea II
capital and ideas and educated 10 Il bet
ter manner OF living in many parts OF
the island: Still the nature OF a ma
jority of the Islanders will always null
blood that makes ha,f-brceds OF the
negro. the Spaniard and the Indian viii
always. keep Porto Rico in the condi-
tion OF its sister islands of the West
indics-a condition which manifcsts
much siothiulncss. great lack of pride
and ambition, dirty living. loose
morals and contcntmcnt with iitle
That is good. clean and pleasant.
GREAT IMPROVEMENT
UNDER AMERICAN RULE
How little advanced in civilization
Porto Rico was twenty years ago and
Just how far III has gone ahead since
the United States assumed control can
he icarnecd from conditions which have
been handled by the police OF the is
land. The average Porto kican does
not take kindly 10 the restrictions Of
The lGw. He never did. lie likes to
be free 10 go and do as he wantS-to
he unrestricted in his freedom Be
y n Ia -t.,,t, al
conditions in the island were beyond
All Nontrol OF the ofiicial police. Law
iessness was supreme. and desperate
criminals reigned in their various do
mains with free hand. Even for sew
rrai years after the United States took
over Porto Rico the situation was ex-
trcmcIy bad. In fact. il was too much
OF a bad condition tor the then Gov
crnor OF the island. and he appealed to
Washington for aid. President Roosc-
Welt ordered Captain Robert stanton.
who had cleaned up lawlesSncss in
Panama. 10 assume iull charge of the
police III Porto Rico. y change for the
better came. soon after Captain shan
ton got his hand into the mess.
'rh' new oincial found Porto Rico
and especially san Juan filled with
many bad men of the type that shot
OF our country in he early days Up
until this time the police had never
attempted to enforce law against
the carrying Of concealed vca mons.
The Porto Rican would have been much
grieved had the police suggested tina;
he leave his gun or da;SSvr at home
He probably would have used some
very harsh words and gone right on
without nbeyinE the command.
Policemen Went around IN groups ot
two and three and four. They did this
TO protect themselves in case OF attack
10y > desperate tevery man with gun
was desperately or 10 be sure ia have
= superiority in numbers in ease they
Lound - man they were looking TO-.
They believed large numbers meant
safety whenever they >hould meet a bad
map Who might have ;wo or three
knives and guns in his belt in addi-
ton TO = walking stick that might DO
Il combination Of a mos dangerous
dagger and gun.
The police shot on sight. Investigate
ing afterwards. The gunner followed
ne same course. The Law mean, little
20 eiihcr side. Ii VAS a question only
OF saving their own lives. The best
aim won. Take no chances" Was tho
motto of tho police.
Rut such u condition was not cntirc.y
nc" 10 captain Shanion. He had had
many years experience in other in
Sn!ar possessions Of the United states
IN dealing with just such state of
affairs. He had subdued lawlcss indi
NIdnals and gangs before He knew
exactly how 10 go about making Porto
Rico a safe place for mo police as well
as peaceful place for the ordinary
citizen. OF course he immediately re-
organized the police deparfmont
throwing out many of tho old police
men and officers. Many new Young
ana AMBITIOUS men we're enlisted for
he service They We're made 10 feel