The times., 1898-11-12
HEARD IN TIE LOBBIES.

iCSiSltItu 1T w tfShA lac Wdo LUZ
many years a rich and, influential planter
of the southern part effthe island, but is
now living in retirement having amassed
a considerable fortune.r In recent years
Mr.. Tristrian has ACTED as an agent for
planters in Ponce. and, since the island
passed under the control, of the American
Government has been looking forward to
terprise will enter the island and con-
tribute toward its material and social
development. Mr.. Tristrian comes to this
country on business matters in connection
with his planters agency. and expects to
sail for Ponce on a steamer leaving New
York Nov. l6. THE condition of affairs
under the new regime is entirely satisfac-
tory to the Porto Ricans at Ponce" he
said last night. You ask me If | am a
native of Porto Rico. l am having been
born and having lived there all my life,
but am now an American citizen. as Por-
to Rico is now part OF your grand
country. These words were spoken in
excellent English and the clearness with
which the speaker discussed the future Of
his native island and his familiarity with
given considerable attention to the study
of the English language and American af-
fairs. While the army of Gen. Miles was
at Ponce Mr.. Tristraln became personally
acquainted with many of the stan officers.
He gained the acquaintance of Gen. Roy
Stone. Gen. Guy V. Henry, Capt Cassat,
Capt. Duncan and Col William NJ Black,
formerly the engineer Commissioner of
the District of Columbia. He stated that
Col. Black had told him he expected to
resume his duties as engineer Commits
sioner upon his return TO Washington. and
the statement is particularly pertinent at
this time. coming as it does unsolicited
and from person entirely disinterested
in the matter of the appointment of
another engineer Commissioner. 1t will
also be read with interest by the friends
of Capt. Lansing III, Beach and the men,
bers of the local citizens associations who
have recommended the retention of Capt.
Beach In the position formerly held by
Col. Black. as II shows that Col Black Is,
or at least was. desirous OF regaining his
former position and of succeeding Capt
Beach. Mr.. Tristrain said also that the
Porto Ricans are well pleased with the
manner in which Gen. Guy V. Henry has
conducted himself as military governor of
Ponce. He is man of great ability and
gentleman who seems to have the wei
fare OF the Porto Ricans at heart" he
said Under his administration of affairs
the people of the city and province seem
10 be contented and satisfied. They have
great hopes for the future They are
aware of the character and industry of
the American people. and know that the
linking of their island to the American
Republic will mean much for them. The
Porto Ricans do not anticipate any moro
Ia rta~y
change in their government means
The trade of Ponce, which was paraI-
yzed by The recent war is picking up
i rapidly. and things win soon be lively
in industrial circles The crops are be-
ginning to come in, and prospects are fa-
yorable for an abundant yield of sugar.
coffee and tobacco. which are the staple
| products of the island. These are the
principal articles of export. and the CEN
ters Of expectation are San Juan. Ponce.
and Mayaguez, although there are other
ports. Some Years ago most of the to-
| bacco raised in Porto Rico was exported
to Havana for Use In the manufacture of
! Havana cigars. The Porto Rican tobac-
4 CO Is as good as that of Havana province
| and could be easily substituted without
detection by unfamiliar smokers Recent
! iy not so much has been used for that
purpose. More has been shipped TO Eu-
rope and the States. A large tobacco
factory was recently erected in Ponce for
the manufacture of cigars and cigarettes
1t was established by a Porto Rican nam
| ed Toro, who is of German descent The
| sugar crop is quite large this year. and
| the quality is better than formerly Mod
| ern sugar refining machinery has been
(! erected on many of the plantations We
| now have what are known as 'centrifu-
gals and vacuum rams for the manufac-
| ture of granulated sugar. The old meth
| od of Jamaica trains is also in vogue
| FOR the preparation of raw sugar The
| quality of the coffee is good. Most of our
coffee has been shipped TO the European
| markets and the merchants of Havre.
| Hamburg, Genoa. and other cities on the
: continent say that Ii is as good as the
best grades Of Mocha and Java and that
it brings the highest prices Our chief
markets are the States and the cities of
Europe With the reduction of the tar
I IFS all the sugar. coffee, and tobacco ex-
| ported from the island in the future will
| make Its way to this country. The Por-
to Ricans want reciprocal relations with
| their new brothers, the Americans, and
when the tariffs are arranged so that
| they Will be able to get dry goods and
| wearing apparel from this country with
out high rates, they will purchase most.
II not all. OF their goods from America
1t will be new market with them and
they will cut loose from the rest of the
world as far as trade is concerned Amer
lea will be their chief market and Porto
Rico VIII be new market for America
| There Is swift change going on in the
building of modern structures in Florence
| and many Italian cities" said S. t. How
land. of Denver, last night at the Metro