. . . "Diego Columbus (the son of Christopher Columbus) was the Admiral of the New World and Governor of Santo Domingo since 1508. He had spent the last five years in Spain in an attempt to have all the powers promised to his father re-established. Diego had gained some concessions (becoming Viceroy) and was preparing for his return to the New World when word first reached him of the epidemic there. He hastened his return, still not fully aware of the scope of the crisis. When he reached the Indies he faced several crisis at once:"@en . . "Chaos in the Americas (Papatlaca)"@en . . "Diego Columbus (the son of Christopher Columbus) was the Admiral of the New World and Governor of Santo Domingo since 1508. He had spent the last five years in Spain in an attempt to have all the powers promised to his father re-established. Diego had gained some concessions (becoming Viceroy) and was preparing for his return to the New World when word first reached him of the epidemic there. He hastened his return, still not fully aware of the scope of the crisis. When he reached the Indies he faced several crisis at once: \n* Mortality due to disease (now reaching 40%). \n* Revolt of slaves (These revolts were almost uncontainable on the mainland, on the smaller islands they were suppressed, but at further loss of life). \n* Exodus of colonists back to Spain (About 10% of the Spaniards returned to Spain, the exodus was stopped only by Columbus' use of force). \n* Unruly Castilians (A large number of armed opportunistic adventures combined with collapsing governmental authority was a recipe for lawless chaos). \n* Collapse of basic services (Trade, legal services, farming, etc. all came to a halt - The situation became one of every family for itself). Diego had to use brutal force to re-establish control. In addition he sent ships to the smaller colonies to bring the colonist and slaves to Hispanolia. Most of these remote colonist were eager to come, but some had to be moved by force."@en . . . .