HOW THE PORTO RICANS RECEIVED US.
Whatever may have been the attitude and feelings of the Spanish
officials and Spanish troops, there can be no doubt that the Porto
Ricans themselves welcomed most enthusiastically the advent of the
Americans and the dawn of a new era. The joy manifested at the sight of
invaders in a conquered country was most extraordinary, and we can
affirm with truth that it has no parallel in history.
It was most fortunate that little or no fighting took place, as thus
many valuable lives were saved. There was no question whatever as to the
result.
The number and location of the Spanish troops on the island just before
the armistice was declared were as follows:
Aibonito, 1,800 men, and two 4-inch field cannon; Cavey, 700 men;
Caguas, 600; Rio Piedras, 180; Carolite, 320; Arecibo, 320, and two
4-inch field cannon; Aguadilla, 320; Crab Island, 100; Bayamon, 395; San
Juan, 1,706, making a total of 5,441, to which may be added
approximately 500 of the Guardia Civil, doing duty in their own villages
all over the island, and 200 of the Orden Publico, doing similar police
duty in San Juan. Many members of the Guardia Civil in or near the
territory held by the American troops joined the Americans.
It cannot be told with any certainty how much resistance the Spaniards
would have offered had hostilities continued, but most of the fighting
would have undoubtedly taken place within sight of San Juan. The
Spaniards themselves believed this, as the preparations they made
sufficiently indicated.
The native people generally were thoroughly delighted with the news that
the island was likely to be ceded to the United States. Wherever the
American flag went up, it was cheered with a vigor that probably was
never given to the Spanish flag during all the centuries it has been in
evidence.
Everywhere, the people rushed forward to welcome the invaders, and
showered them with hospitable attentions. Pretty women dressed
themselves in their richest garments and smiled their sweetest smiles to
charm the conquerors.
Food, cigars and wines were pressed upon the soldiers; the civil
authorities issued florid proclamations over the glad event of becoming
"Americanos," and the whole country blossomed with Star-Spangled
banners. The only reason why even more of them were not displayed was
because more of them could not be obtained.
It was one of the most unlooked-for and surprising things of this most
surprising war, as a writer in the National Tribune of Washington
observes.
The same writer goes on to say that really there is good reason for all
this.
"The substantial people of Puerto Rico know that it is immensely to
their interest to cut loose from Spain, and be grafted on to the United
States. The greater part of their trade is with this country, and Spain
has been bleeding them for the privilege of carrying it on. Now they can
send their coffee, sugar, tobacco, tropical fruits, etc., directly to
this market, get American prices for them, and buy American goods in
return at regular American prices.
"They ought to be mighty glad to get into this country, but, being
Spaniards, we hardly expected them to have so much sense."
Guanica was the first town taken by our soldiers.
The enthusiasm was unbounded, and numbers of the citizens called to pay
their respects to the leading officers.
At Guanica the following proclamation was issued to the people of the
island under the signature of General Miles:
"Guanica, Porto Rico, July 27, 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 islands of Porto
Rico. They come bearing the banners of freedom, inspired by noble
purposes, to seek the enemies of our government and of yours, and to
destroy or capture all in armed resistance.
"They bring you the fostering arms of a free people, whose greatest
power is justice and humanity to all living within their fold. Hence
they release you from your former political relations, and it is hoped
this will be followed by the cheerful acceptance of the government of
the United States.
"The chief object of the American military forces will be to overthrow
the armed authority of Spain and give the people of your beautiful
island the largest measure of liberty consistent with this military
occupation.
"They have not come to make war on the people of the country, who for
centuries have been oppressed; but, on the contrary, they bring
protection, not only to yourselves, but to your property, promote your
prosperity and bestow the immunities and blessings of our enlightenment
and liberal institutions and government. It is not their purpose to
interfere with the existing laws and customs, which are wholesome and
beneficial to the people, so long as they conform to the rules of the
military administration, order and justice. This is not a war of
devastation and dissolution, but one to give all within the control of
the military and naval forces the advantages and blessings of
enlightened civilization."
The mayor of Guanica also issued a proclamation, which was thus worded:
"Citizens: God, who rules the destinies of nations, has decreed that the
Eagle of the North, coming from the waters of a land where liberty first
sprang forth to life, should extend to us his protecting wings. Under
his plumage, sweetly reposing, the Pearl of the Antilles, called Porto
Rico, will remain from July 25.
"The starry banner has floated gayly in the valleys of Guanica, the
most beautiful port of this downtrodden land. This city was selected by
General Miles as the place in which to officially plant his flag in the
name of his government, the United States of America. It is the ensign
of grandeur and the guarantee of order, morality and justice. Let us
join together to strengthen, to support and to further a great work. Let
us clasp to our bosoms the great treasure which is generously offered to
us while saluting with all our hearts the name of the great Washington.
"Augustin Barrenecha, Alcalde.
"Guanica, Porto Rico, U. S. A., July 26, 1898."
Yauco was the next to surrender.
When the troops took possession of the town the mayor promptly issued
this proclamation:
"Citizens:
"To-day the citizens of Porto Rico assist in one of her most beautiful
festivals. The sun of America shines upon our mountains and valleys this
day of July, 1898. It is a day of glorious remembrance for each son of
this beloved isle, because for the first time there waves over it the
flag of the Stars, planted in the name of the Government of the United
States of America by the major-general of the American Army, General
Miles.
"Porto Ricans, we are by the miraculous intervention of the God of the
just given back to the bosom of our mother America, in whose waters
Nature placed us as people of America. To her we are given back in the
name of her government by General Miles, and we must send her our most
expressive salutation of generous affection through our conduct toward
the valiant troops represented by distinguished officers and commanded
by the illustrious General Miles.
"Citizens: Long live the Government of the United States of America!
Hail to their valiant troops! Hail Porto Rico, always American!
"Yauco, Porto Rico, United States of America.
"El Alcalde, Francisco Megia."
The alcalde is the judge who administers justice, and he also presides
as mayor over the City Council.
The citizens of the town hugged the Americans, and some fell upon their
knees and embraced the legs of the soldiers. It was a most remarkable
spectacle.
On July 29, Ponce was formally given over to the Americans, without the
firing of a single shot. The populace received the troops and saluted
the flag with enthusiasm. When General Miles entered the city he was
welcomed by the mayor, cheered to the echo by the citizens and serenaded
by a band of music.
The mayor of Ponce issued a proclamation of the same tenor as that of
the mayor of Yauco, although not quite so enthusiastic.
General Wilson was made military governor of Ponce.
A day or two after the taking of Ponce several local judges were sworn
into office. This was the first time in the history of the United States
that the judges of a foreign, hostile but conquered country, swore to
support the Constitution of the United States.
The following was the form sworn to by the various officials:
"I declare under oath that, during the occupation of the island of Porto
Rico by the United States, I will renounce and abjure all allegiance and
fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty,
particularly the Queen Regent and the King of Spain, and will support
the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or
domestic, and will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.
"Further, I will faithfully support the Government of the United States,
established by the military authorities in the island of Porto Rico,
will yield obedience to the same and take the obligation freely, without
mental reservation or with the purpose of evasion, so help me God."
On July 31, the commanding general sent a message to the War Department,
the first official one received from Ponce. It read as follows:
"Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:
"Your telegrams 27th received and answered by letter. Volunteers are
surrendering themselves with arms and ammunition; four-fifths of the
people are overjoyed at the arrival of the army. Two thousand from one
place have volunteered to serve with it. They are bringing in
transportation, beef, cattle and other needed supplies.
"The Custom House has already yielded $14,000.
"As soon as all the troops are disembarked they will be in readiness to
move.
"Please send any national colors that can be spared, to be given to the
different municipalities.
"I request that the question of the tariff rates to be charged in the
parts of Porto Rico occupied by our forces be submitted to the President
for his action, the previously existing tariff remaining meanwhile in
force. As to the government under military occupation, I have already
given instructions based upon the instructions issued by the President
in the case of the Philippine Islands, and similar to those issued at
Santiago de Cuba.
"Miles."
When the soldiers entered Ponce the people sang the "Star-Spangled
Banner" in a mixture of Spanish and English, and every time this tune
was heard the police forced everybody to remove his hat!
"The natives are, upon the whole, exceedingly friendly," says a
correspondent of the New York Sun, "and almost all of them welcome the
American army. The flag is voluntarily displayed from many of the
principal stores. If there are any Spanish flags in the city they are
kept carefully concealed. In the stores American goods are sometimes to
be found, particularly in hardware stores. All fabrics, foods, and
luxuries, however, have been imported from Europe, mostly from Spain.
The Spanish Government forces its colonies to import from home by
levying a heavy discriminating duty upon all goods not Spanish. Prices
are very high, notwithstanding which fact business is brisk.
"The soldiers are good customers and buy all sorts of curios as
souvenirs for friends at home. The officers, too, buy considerable
quantities of light underclothing. It is safe to say that there has
never before been as much money in circulation here. All the merchants
favor annexation."
In an article in the National Magazine the following is said:
"The Porto Ricans have taken very quickly and kindly to American
occupation. Some have been so quick in changing that their conversion
may be doubted. For instance, the editor of La Nueva Era, a daily which
in two scraggy leaves purports to be a 'journal of news, travel,
science, literature and freedom,' was only a few weeks ago raving at the
'American Pigs'; while now he luxuriates under the eagle's aegis and
writes eulogies upon Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and William
McKinley. Nor is he alone in his devotion to the American idea. The
small boy curses his neighbor by calling him 'un Espanol,' and treats
you with disdain if you suggest that he is simply a poor Porto Rican.
'No, no,' he says, pointing at himself. 'No, Espanol, Porto-Rican
Americano.' His motives are not, however, always of the sincerest, for
the boys have learned a trick of saying to the passing Yankee; 'Viva
America,' and then putting up the forefinger with this half-asked
question, 'one cent?'"
A brilliant writer in one of the magazines says that in speaking with a
leading merchant of Ponce, he asked him if the people were really so
delighted with the new regime.
"'Well, frankly, no,' he replied, 'the mass will welcome any change, but
it is quite a question whether we shall gain by annexation to the United
States. I have lived in America. Now the Spaniards taxed us heavily, but
when they got their money they went off and let us alone. The
custom-house officers stole nearly everything from the government. But
then we have yet to see how the American custom-house officers will act.
Spain knew us and we knew Spain; there were few complaints. The church
tax was not heavy, and I never went to service. We do not want the
negroes enfranchised till they are better educated. Then the money
question is going to be bad for many of us here. We shall suffer
dreadfully if the American government makes our dollar worth only fifty
cents.'
"The man who uttered these words is a highly respected citizen, speaks
English well, and understands America as well as Spain.
"While we were looking over the town we came upon the jail where there
are about one hundred and sixty Spanish prisoners," the same writer goes
on to say. "Many of these men were selling their chevrons and buttons
and other marks of rank with an alacrity worthy of a better cause. One
of our party, however, experienced a chill when upon asking one of the
prisoners how much he would sell his chevrons for he got this reply,
'No, por el dinero en globo.' 'Not for all the money on earth."
"There spoke the true spirit of Spain. The Spain which sent armies to
Jerusalem, patronized Columbus, conquered the half of America with a
handful of men--that Spain, with all her black tragedies, never sold her
chevrons. Let us be merciful to a fallen foe; at least, let us be
truthful. Thank God Spain's power in this hemisphere is crushed. Yet
there was chivalry in the old regime. We can afford to be magnanimous
now; he who bends above the fallen forever stands erect."
On August 4, when rumors of Spain's submission reached Porto Rico, the
editor of La Nueva Era wound up his leading editorial with these words:
"Hurra por la anexion a los Estados Unidos!"
He also gave this excellent sanitary advice to the invading army:
"TO THE BOYS!
"Keep away from fruit of every description and Rum, if you wish to keep
your health in this climate."
Moreover, he published this:
"It is an undeniable fact that wherever the American forces have landed
they have been welcomed by the people as liberators amid the greatest
enthusiasm.
"A new era has dawned for this country and is the advent of happier
times.
"The spectre of suspicion with which we were menaced has disappeared
forever. We are now sure that the air we breathe is ours and we can
breathe it to our fill.
"The labor accomplished by the people of the United States in taking
this island, and we say accomplished, as nothing can oppose their arms,
is truly a labor of humanity and redemption, and will be one of the
greatest glories of the great republic.
"Let us render thanks to the Almighty for the blessing, and let us be
well assured that Porto Rico has before it a future of unlimited
progress and well-being."
The most rabid Spanish publication of all, La Democracia, issued an
address to the public announcing the demise of the paper under its
former name, and giving notice that it would reappear under the name of
the Courier with a portion printed in English.
In making this announcement the editor promised in the new edition:
"To explain our ideas of brothership and harmony, answering to the ideas
proclaimed to the press by our new military authority, such as that the
American army has not come as our enemies, but with the purpose of
harmonizing with the citizens of Porto Rico. We are pleased to make
known that these ideas have been respected, and that all the acts of the
forces occupying our city have been characterized by the most exquisite
correctness, and that the American troops fraternize with our people."
At all events, these extracts serve to show the trend of public opinion.
"Mr. Morrisey in speaking of the Ponce of to-day says that 'the city is
in a horrible sanitary condition, and I wondered how the United States
troops stood it. I learned there had been an improvement since the
soldiers' arrival, but there is room for considerable more, I think. I
went to the Hotel Ingleterra, which is considered the best one in Ponce,
and engaged a room. My first meal there was breakfast, which was served
at 11 o'clock. My meal consisted of rice, black beans and coffee, all
of which was fair. At dinner, which is always served at 6 o'clock, I had
the same fare. I tried to get eggs after the first day, but was
successful on only two occasions, and then had to pay 7 cents each for
them. I learned that the soldiers had made a corner in eggs and had
bought nearly all of them, which, of course, made them scarce at the
hotels and eating places. All the water used in the hotel is filtered
through a huge block of brownstone and even then it is pretty poor.'
"Mr. Morrisey visited the place known as the market in the heart of the
city of Ponce, and saw some very interesting scenes. A few of the better
class of the natives visited the market several times during the day and
made their purchases. There are no butchers in the city, and it is a
queer sight, Mr. Morrisey said, to see the way the merchants deliver
meat to the purchasers. This article is bought by the penny and a piece
about as long as one's finger is sold for 2 cents. The meat is not cut
into steaks but in huge lumps. Another thing in reference to the meat is
that it is all killed the day before used, which, of course, makes it
very tough. The beer on the island is kept in a warm place without any
ice and is served in that state. Most of the beer is imported from
Germany, and it is only recently that American beer has found its way in
the country. This is kept in bottles and when it is served to a customer
a small piece of ice is dropped into it. The beer drinker may imagine
the rest. The natives do not use much of the beer, but are satisfied
with the black coffee and wine.
"The money question has not assumed any large proportions in Porto Rico.
Very little money is in circulation on the island. The better class of
the natives who are supposed to have some money, spend most of their
time and money in Spain, and the stores and merchants, as a result, do
not get much of their money. These stores are plentifully supplied with
goods, but there is no one to buy them. As soon as the United States
soldiers arrived on the island the shopkeepers saw visions of money
rolling into their pockets. The price on every article in the stores was
increased, and what a native would buy for ten cents the American would
be compelled to pay one dollar for the same article. The fare on the
railroad running from Ponce to Playo, a distance of about three miles,
is one dollar for an excursion trip. The natives make the same trip for
twelve cents. Every scheme that can be thought of is practiced by the
natives in order to get money from the Americans. In the street and at
the entrances to the hotels numerous beggars can be found, all asking
for money. Nearly all the inhabitants seemed to be engaged in this sort
of work, and the sight of them lounging around, even inside the hotels,
is disgusting, says Mr. Morrisey. It is a hard matter to get them to
work, and their appearance in scarcely any clothes on the streets is a
sight.
"The women go about the roads and plantations smoking large cigars, and
are not affected in any manner by the weed. Children of both sexes up to
the age of twelve years are permitted to roam about the streets naked,
while their parents are not much better off. Nothing but a skirt is
worn by the women and the men wear ragged shirts and trousers. Shoes are
rarely seen in Porto Rico and a native who is lucky enough to have them
is the cynosure of all eyes. The women do not know what silks and satins
are, and, it seems, are not desirous of knowing. When night comes the
men prepare themselves for bed. This is not hard work, and takes very
little time. They tie their heads up in large towels to protect them
from the sting of the mosquito, and then lie down in the streets or
roads and sleep. These people live mainly on the milk from the cocoanut.
Bread is a stranger to them, and very little food is consumed by them,
except the wild fruits and vegetables which abound in the outskirts of
the cities.
"Mr. Morrisey said the soldiers at Ponce were in a fairly good
condition, but it is his opinion that it is no fit place for them under
the present condition of the country. He said when the soldier is taken
down with typhoid malaria or dysentery he loses flesh rapidly, and he
can never regain it as long as he stays in that climate."
All this, although it is in some respects different from some of the
opinions we have quoted, is very interesting as it is from a recent eye
witness, and shows how Porto Rico of the present impressed a very
intelligent man.
The fourth town to surrender, previous to the news of the armistice and
therefore the general capitulation of the island, was Juan Diaz. There
was a report that there were some Spanish soldiers there, and four
companies of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania were sent to find them.
Couriers announced the coming of the Americans to the people of the
town, and a brass band came out to meet them. The vast majority of the
citizens assembled on the outskirts of the town and as the American
volunteers appeared the band played "Yankee Doodle" and other patriotic
American airs, while the people cried: "Vivan los Americanos."
A large number had presents of cigars, cigarettes, tobacco and various
fruits which they loaded upon the soldiers, and many insisted upon
taking the visitors to their homes. Everywhere, the American flag was
waving. In the public square the mayor made a speech, in which he said
that all the people of Juan Diaz were Americans now, and the crowd
shouted:
"Death to the Spaniards!"
While speaking of Juan Diaz, perhaps it will prove of interest to insert
the opinion of a correspondent of one of the New York papers as to the
women of that town and of Porto Rico in general. He says:
"No one ever walks in Porto Rico. The mule's the thing here. The women
ride a great deal. The better class use the English side saddle,
although a few prefer the more picturesque and safer, but less graceful,
Spanish saddle. In the country districts the pillion is occasionally
employed, while among the lower classes many women ride astride without
exciting comment. When the natives are both pretty and good riders they
display considerable coquetry in the saddle.
"I noticed one rider near Juan Diaz who took my mind back to the old
days of chivalry. She was a lovely girl of about fifteen or sixteen,
with a face like a Madonna and a figure like an artist's model. One
little foot crept out beneath her silk riding skirt, and to my surprise
it was devoid of hosiery. The skin was like polished velvet, and was of
a pinkish gold of an exquisite tint. It was shod with a slipper of satin
or silk, embroidered in color and had an arched instep which made the
foot all the more charming by its setting.
"The time to see the women at their best is on Sunday morning, when they
ride from their homes to mass in the nearest church or cathedral. On one
Sunday morning, while riding leisurely into a small village on my way to
this town, I met a crowd of worshippers on their way to mass. Nearly all
the women were on mule back, and sat or lolled as if they were in an
easy chair in their own homes. A few, probably wealthier than the
others, or else delicate in health, were accompanied by little darky
boys, who held over them a parasol or an umbrella.
"On Sunday each woman wears a huge rosary, sometimes so large as to be
uncomfortable. I saw several that were so unwieldy that they went over
the shoulders and formed a huge line, larger indeed than a string of
sleigh bells. These are ornamental rosaries and are not used for prayer.
The praying rosary is as small and dainty as those used by fashionable
women in our own Roman Catholic churches. Besides the fan and the rosary
every woman was provided with a neat and often handsomely-bound prayer
book and a huge lighted cigar or cigarette.
"This is indeed the land for women who love the weed. A few smoke
cigarettes and pipes, but the majority like partajas, perfectos,
Napoleons and other rolls of the weed larger than those usually seen in
our own land. They smoke them at home and in the streets, at the table
or on the balcony, lying in hammocks, or lolling on their steeds, and
only desist when within the sacred walls of the church. The moment mass
is over and they emerge into the sunlight the first thing the women do
is to light a fresh cigar and then climb into the saddle.
"They make a beautiful picture upon the roads. Imagine an intensely blue
sky above, with below rich green vegetables and startling dashes of
scarlet, crimson, vermillion, orange and white from the flowers which
seem to bloom the year through, setting off the bright hues of the
costumes. It combines the picturesque side of New Orleans life, of
Florida scenery, of the Maine lake country, and of the New Hampshire
hills."
At Guayama there was even a greater reception than at Juan Diaz. In
fact, everywhere, as soon as the people heard of the landing of our
soldiers, the American flag was hoisted and kept hoisted, while the
Spaniards were driven from the towns where soldiers were stationed.
A large number of Porto-Rican refugees now began to return to the
island. These were men who had been engaged in revolution, and had been
deported by the Spanish Government. Their progress to their homes was a
continual ovation.
The returned refugees had a conference with the leading citizens and
there was no doubt in any one's mind but that ninety per cent. of the
people was in favor of annexation. They felt that the United States was
their deliverer, and they would rather join the American Republic than
have self-government.
There was also a conference between the most prominent citizens of
Ponce, and Mr. Hanna, the American consul at San Juan.
The Porto Ricans had views which they wished to have presented to the
United States, and were anxious to play some part in the new order of
things and to hold some of the offices themselves. They were
particularly desirous to know about the American school system and as to
the possibility of introducing it into the island. They wished that
their children should learn to speak English. Mr. Hanna explained the
public school system of the United States, and the Porto Ricans were
greatly pleased at what they heard. Then they again brought up the
question of how they could participate in the reorganization of the
island.
"Gentlemen," said Mr. Hanna, "the best thing you can do is to get
together and find out just what you want. You have, of course, very good
ideas as to what the American system of government is. You no doubt by
this time know whether you desire to be attached to the United States as
a territory, with a representative in our Congress. You may differ on
the point of having Americans for your own officials here during the
time that the government that is to prevail here is being put into
shape. But you can safely leave your wishes in the hands of President
McKinley."
A New York Herald correspondent has some interesting things to say as to
the new Ponce, a town which is representative of the entire island:
"Ponce, only yesterday the base for our military invasion, is to-day the
American capital in the West Indies. Ponce is deep in the second stage
of political evolution.
"Ponce is learning the English language. Ponce is mastering the
mysteries of American money. Ponce is inquiring into the methods of
American politics. Ponce is preparing to abandon the church schools and
adopt our system of education. Papeti, the chambermaid in the Hotel
Francais, has already been taught to say, "Vive l'Americano!" Papeti's
brother was shot by the Spanish a few years ago.
"El Capitan," the head waiter at the Hotel Inglaterra, has already
mastered one hundred words of English, and his fortune is made. Passing
down the street just now I heard a Porto Rican mother crooning her naked
babe to sleep to the tune of 'Marching Through Georgia.' The Porto
Ricans think that 'Marching Through Georgia' is a national anthem.
"As I write the advance guard of the American prospector to this
tropical Klondike of ours are pouring up the broad highway from the
playa to the town. They came on the Sylvia, the first merchant ship to
reach Ponce from the United States since the town surrendered. They seem
to have come literally by hundreds.
"I saw many familiar faces among the newcomers.
"Nearly all these men have come here on commercial enterprises. Porto
Rico is a fruitful field. Her agricultural resources, taking the
American standard, are as little developed as those of Ohio seventy-five
years ago. I imagine the coffee production of the island will be doubled
in two years.
"Much American capital will be put into sugar, tobacco and fruits. Many
of these men are inquiring about estates in the interior that can be
purchased or leased, and about facilities for transportation to the
sea-board. This means the building of railroads. Banks are also to be
opened in Ponce under our national banking law, and I fancy there will
be the liveliest sort of race between rival capitalists as to who shall
get the electric railway franchise for the city of Ponce.
"The leading citizens of the island are as wideawake to American
enterprise as are these eager gentlemen of the pocketbook who came on
the Sylvia."
Colonel Hill of General Wilson's staff was appointed Collector of the
Port of Ponce, and he went very carefully into the subject of the
probable resources of the island and what the new tariff should be.
In an interview with the Herald, he said:
"Most of my statistics are still incomplete, but I can give you a few
facts, which will unquestionably be of great interest to the business
men of the States. In Porto Rico everything is taxed, and most articles
are taxed in several different ways. There is an impost duty on flour of
$4 a barrel. I think that will be knocked off at once. As you know, this
island paid no direct money to the former government of Spain.
Everything in the way of salaries, pensions, etc., is paid directly out
of the Custom House. The commander of the military forces on the island
is a lieutenant-general, sent here from Spain. He gets an enormous
salary. Many Spanish pensioners of prominence and rank have been sent to
the island, and these pensions are paid by the island. Dignitaries of
the church and priests are sent here in large numbers. They are paid out
of the Custom House.
"Only yesterday I had an application from the widow of a Spanish
general, who is pensioned, for the payment of her usual stipend. I had
to take that matter under advisement. The priests here in Ponce applied
for their usual salary for July. This, under the Spanish law, is a fixed
charge. The matter came before me in my capacity of judge-advocate on
General Wilson's staff. I had to report that inasmuch as we were
operating under the Spanish civil law, which made the salaries of the
padres a proper payment from the customs funds, the money was due and
should be paid or else the Spanish civil law in that respect should be
annulled or suspended.
"General Wilson refused to authorize the payment of the priests'
salaries, and the matter went to General Miles, who sustained General
Wilson. Now here is a very interesting and unprecedented question. As a
matter of policy it might be well to pay these salaries for the present.
The padres, of course, the next time they address the congregation will
say: 'Here is this new American Government which you welcomed with such
pleasure refusing to pay your priests. You thought you were going to be
relieved of taxation. We must ask you to go into your pockets and pay
us yourselves. Thus you have an additional tax placed upon you.'"
But still the clergy, as a rule, were in favor of the United States.
Father Janices, a well-known and most intelligent priest, had this to
say in regard to the attitude of the Catholic Church in Porto Rico
toward the United States:
"We are neither cowards nor liars. We do not deny that we have always
been loyal Spanish subjects, but it is the duty of the Church to save
souls and not to mingle in international quarrels.
"With all our hearts we welcome the Americans. Your constitution
protects all religions. We ask only for the protection of our Church.
The Archbishop of Porto Rico is now in Spain, and the Vicar General of
San Juan is acting head of the Church in the island. But we no longer
look to him as our ecclesiastical head; but as soon as possible we shall
communicate with Cardinal Gibbons and we await his wishes.
"Should any American soldier desire the administrations of a priest,
they always shall be at his service. We have determined to become loyal
Americans."
Moreover, on September 23, Captain Gardner, in company of General
Wilson, called upon the President and made a report in which he
elaborated upon the relation of the Church to the government. He stated
that while a large majority of the Porto Ricans were Catholics, by
profession, they were not offensively zealous. He placed the number of
priests at 240, and the annual cost to the public treasury of their
support at about $120,000 in American money.
Colonel Gardner, in addition to his report, also presented to President
McKinley, an address signed by many of the leading Porto Ricans. The
signers expressed their pleasure at the prospect of becoming citizens of
the United States, and announced their hope that the Porto Rican people
might some day become worthy to organize a State of the Union.
In this hope we are sure all Americans will most heartily join.