South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-12
CAN RELY RETAIN
PORTO RICO POST
UNDER HOT FIRE?
Unionista Party Leader OPP.
poses Governor of |. ;.
Island. Editor States.
BY J. II. TURAY
Foreign Editor of the United Press
So I-AN- Porto RICO Nay

tForeisn Editar of the United Press
san JUAS. PORTO RICO. Nay
1i-Gov z ,Iont Reilly Of Porto
Rico. has succeeded In driving pro-
hi6rlon cut of Porto RICO converse
aon
r-utl last fail. when the new gov
error began 10 assume his duties all
conventional roads In Porto Rico.
as I'm The United States. led 70 pro-
h.auon. Nowadays all Porto Rico
roads not only OF conversation but
~ debate lead 70 2. Mont Reilly
Don AIoncho Reyes" as the natives
call him.
VIII Pres't Harding remove the
governor and replace him with an
other or will The president support
him 10 The ar often in his poliuca!
fight with the Cnionl-ta party lead
ers. "a no have sought 20 Gust him
This is the paramount conroVer-
sial and congregational question
throughout the island Wherever
Porto Ricaus. or "c0utuentals' Gas
natives OF the United states are CALI
ed. gather socially. d. is the prin-
cipal topic OF discussion When Mrs
John Doe telephones daily 20 her
friend Mrs John Roe 20 exchange
social gossip the gossip ls very like
Is quickly 20 become political with
the very latest fact report or rumor
about the governors political for
tunes discussed 20 q SHRED In Ike
manner. Ramen and Francisco and
Antonio. who are perhaps shop
clerks. are sure 20 devote most Of
their spare moments 10 similar dis
cussion.
Filled With Politics.
The newspapers fairly scream
with politics. The Genoa conference.
the activities Of Premier Lloyd
George and Poincare. Lenin's latest
pronunciamento the doings of the
American congress and even Babe
Ruth's latest-all are subordinated
10 the question Of the governors
status.
A United Press staff correspond
enr. visiting Porto Rico found him
self all but submerged in a sea OF
political controversy All sides con-
stantly seek an expression Of opinion
by the visiting newspaper man. IF ne
is wary. however. he viii realize
early that only with time can he alb
sorb enough Of the basic facts and
atmosphere" Of the situation 20
Justify a Judgment Statements Of
facts by euthusiastics partisans on
opposing sides are almost irrecon-
cilable. even allowing for the bias Of
party enthusiasm.
But II the visiting newspaper man
finds II difficult 20 form an impair
tial Judgment he has no lack OF vol
untary helpers eager 10 assist him.
Apparently there are three principal
bodies Of opinion
Those who strongly support Gov.
Reilly and 49, confident that Pres't
Harding VIII back him 20 a finish
Those who are bitterly opposed %
the governor and believe the presi-
dent will remove him.
Those who are either neutral or.
while admiring Gov Reilly and ap-
preciatins his abilities. are doubtful
whether he has the special qualifi-
cations for the post Of governor of
Porto Rico
Compared with the other two
sides. the last mentioned body of
opinion appears 20 be relatively
small The vast majority freely ex-
press an emphatic opinion either for
or against the governor and 10 Is
this very emphasis OF statement and
readiness 20 discuss the issues par
tisanly which has given Don Mon
cho' such a prominent place in
Porto Rican conversation