The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-25

here that if anything is 20 be made out OF
the Porto Ricans; if he can ever be taught
TO become a proper citizen of the United
State, then General Henry is on the
track which will lead to this much desired
end. The question is clearly one of devel-
opment and education. To this end he will
instruct the young. and this purpose is
evidenced in the suggestion of American
teachers for that purpose. While in Ponce.
General Henry attended meeting of
school children, who were addressed on the
subject of Christmas in the United States.
and Christmas presents. The children were
asked what they would best like for their
Christmas presents. To the surprise of
every American present, they answered
they would prefer teachers TO anything
else. This occurrence has so been report
ed to r. Mckinley.
There is as yet no evidence Of opposi-
ton to this general idea, but one already
begins TO hear Porto Rico opinions against
the desirability of substituting English for
Spanish in the schools. There are Porto
Ricans who will strongly object to any
measures toward changing the language of
the island.
General Henry is going to put an Amer
lean army officer at the head of the San
Juan department of street cleaning and
city sanitation. The actual work of this
department will still remain under the jur
isdiction of the San Juan city council.
but the American officer will infuse into
them new IDEAS, good metohds and. above
all, energy. This measure is one greatly
needed. and the results reasonably expect
ed therefrom will make San Juan much
more agreeable as a residence to Ameri-
cans.
General Henry is becoming Thoroughly
acquainted with the city of San Juan; al
Eocst every afternoon he rides out on tours
- inspection with some member of his
staff
OvERCROwDED AND DIRTY.
San Juan is an overcrowded city. 1t is
surprising TO see the large number of poor
who infest the dirty tenements in the I'D
per parts of the city. and it is almost i'm
possible 10 rent for residential purposes
second floors that are not directly over
people who live in squalor. foul air and
confusion. This overcrowding of the CITY
makes desirable dwelling houses expensive
San Juan has not been able to accommo-
date the three or four hundred Americans
Cbesldes the soldiers, who are provided for
in barracks who during the last two
months have come here to live, and who
attempt to live decently Army and navy
officers have had much difficulty in obtain
ing good quarters for their families and
rents are advancing rapidly and unduIy.
NOT A MTLK-AND-H LAND.
In the rural districts of Porto Rico flour
costs today about SIS barrel General
Henry is taking steps 10 regulate this
state Of affairs. The reason of this ex-
cessive price Is traceable TO duties and
high municipal taxation, and it is these
latter which the new governor will
change. There are many people in the
country districts who are literally hall
starved. They are aenemic. wretchediy
nourshed and consequently unfit for pro-
per mental and physical effort. The main
tanning of the poorer classes in this debili-
tsted condition seems to have been a
part fSpain's governmental policy. Cen
eral Henry will give relief to these suffer
ers, even il he finds it necessary to issue
them rattons. "A knowledge of this state
of affairs would serve TO dispel some of
our illusions Of the fat and happy island
ers scratching the soil for a bountiful !
living.