rios 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