Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-09-22
GEN. ]. 4. WILSON IN TOWN
Has Come to His Home to OBJ
tain a Few Days Rest.
IS IN GOOD HEALTH AND SPIRITS
VIII Continue In the Military
Service.

Every Evening, Monday.

Every Evening, Monday. II
Gen. james Fl. Wilson, who recently
returned from Porto Rico, where he
made such favorable impression aHi
commander Of a corps of the American
army and as military governor, is
taking few days rest at his home in
this city, having arrived from New
York ON Saturday night.
He Is in excellent health and spirits,
and when seen by a representative of
Every Evening at his home, No. 822
Adams street, be said he had enjoyed
good heRlth all this time he waH away.
He expects to return to New York to
morrow. Just how long he will remnin
in the military service bs is unable to
tell, but expsctH to continue in bis
present position rs long as his services
are required.
When asked why the Firat Delaware
Regiment did not accompany him to
Porto Rico, as was thought at one time
il would, the general said he did not
know; that he had made a REQUEST that
it form part Of his expedition, but it
did not. and be never heard any reason !
why. He stated. however, that there
were too many soldiers as it was; many
more. went to Porto Rico than vera
. necessary, as was evident after the ex-
( pedition landed. At present there ara
. 1900 soldiers on the island, while the
people are peaoeable and quiet and ap-
rarently perfectly contented.
DELIGHTED WITH THE ISLAND.
The general ia very much pleased
with Porto Rico. lie thinks il is ona
Of this ideal spots Of the world, the
climate being magnificent. lie says
this weather never becomes aa warm az
1T does here and the mornings and
nights Hrs pleasant. In the warmest
weather the people OF Porto Rico ab-
ntain. AS a rule, from active business
between 10 O'Clock 10 the morning and
q o'clock in the afternoon, but this Ia
evidently largely due to custom, as the
American soldiers experienced no un-
usual discomfort during the period
mentioned and went through the
routine usual in this country.
Gen. Wilson is now form ulating q
report to President Mckinley concern
ing the island, climats and general
conditions and the reople and their
habits, customs and capabilities, all Of
which will he given in detail, as he
had an excellent opportunity to obtain
D a store of information. &
Porto Rico has an area of ubout 3, 500
square miles, heing about l07 milea in
length and having an average with OF
nbout 30 miles. The greater part OF
the interior is mountainous, and 1t has
some ideal sea coast, which affords
the boys would be taught the systsm
of Federal, State and municipal govern
ment and how suoh governments are
carried on in this country. Ha thinks
that if such schools we're established
at once that in l8 months the people
would he well educated in the Ameri.
can ideas OF government and gsnera
knowledge and at the expiration ol
that tima Porto Rico would make nr
ideal sovereign State. which would
rank with many of the States Of th'
IL Union. He suggests that the school
lie scattered, one at Ponce, one at Sar
Juan, one at Coamo and the other a
the eastern end Of the island. Q
course, many other schools might b.
established at different places on tn
island and the school system might b.
altered to great advantage, but th
ones mentioned Hbove are the proposed
schools of the republic. or goyernmen
institutions. which ha recommends.
Most OF the business and professions
men in Porto Rico were educated i
the United States. This lawyers, how
ever, as rule, were educated in Spain
which, of course, was necessary, on nc
count of tha Spanish laws with whic
they we're required to become familiar
U large percentage of the educate
II class Hpsaks the English languag
III huently and the American soldiers di
not feel as though they were anon
Il total strangers when they reached th
island, they we're no we'll received y
NJ excellent business opportunities III
81 l. lsL ....1 MI fsrn ~
there is ample room for Development
BETTER SCHOOL FACILITIES NEEDED.
On account of the mountainous col
n dition of the interior, the education
H facilities in some of the rural sentiol
are meagre. although at lsast 30 p
cent Of the people are we'll educate
while the main body of the ponulatio
v which is something like 1000, 600,
composed of intelligent peuple who W
make good American citizens.
The general thinks the people
this country could accomplish gre
deal by senuiug school masters al
missionaries to the island as soon
rossiple. Now is the tima to act
This matter, and ths opportunities nc
are great. As a rule the school teache
there at present are not we'll paid. 4
u OF the teachers are called professor
n In most instances they live, with the
families, in the school buildings, e.
the residence thus furnished the
ssrves as a portion of their oompens
tion. The general also thinks it wou
be good plan to establish about TO
first class schUola of the republic. whe
the inhabitants.
SPANISH OFFICIALS LEAVE.
Until the American army took p'
session Of the island all of the offic
positions were filled by Spaniards, wi
In the main, used their offices for !
Spurpose of enrichinR Themselves. G,
Wilson tells of the manner in wbi
zone officer soon beuame wealthy. i
attorney. gsnsral OF Ponce, when
pointsd to that position about 10 ye
ago, was very poor. lie left for SpI
recently, taking with him about SO
1000 in gold and his wife took with
numerous valuables, including
monds and fine clothing. Most OF !
wealth obtained by some OF the Span
officers while ON the island was
tually extorted from the people
1t is estimated that there were
tween 200 and 800 of this class
officers, and aa there are Il few puo
7 who have semi official tonneot
nth Spain, the island will lose ao