The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-05
The island of Porto Rico.

3
time of the retirement of Admiral Polo,
/ the father Of the late Spanish minister
from the Spanish legation here, a report
obtained circulation in diplomatic circles
that Germany was about 10 seize Porto
Rico. under the guise of purchase, but
actually In the rather domineering fash
ion in which she has been accustomed 10
treat with lesser powers since the war OF
1870. II was then assumed that Germany's
desire for the island was in pursuance Of
her scheme for naval expansion, as with
larger navy she would be practically
obliged TO have q foothold somewhere on
this hemisphere. If only for coaling and
supply station. Spain indicated then THAI
she had no desire TO give up Porto Rico.
even for a good purchase price: but her
pride had been considerably piqued by the
result of the Virginius affair. and her de-
sire TO make the United States govern
inert smart promised TO overcome some Of
her scruples against parting with her ter
riiory, for she trusted to our assertion OF
the Monroe doctrine as soon as Germany
Should attempt to take possession OF Porto
Rico, and our embodiment with great
European military power in consequence.
The matter blew over al the time as
many believed as the result of an init
nation conveyed formally by our govern
ment to that of Germany that we should
regard the proposed purchase as an IN
friendly intrusion. AT any rate, Secretary
Fish was able tc give the many stories in
circulation their quietus in due season,
and the Spanish government did tie saISe
thing on its own side Of the wafer, ana
concentrated It's attention once more up
on the suppression OF the Carlist revolt
Although only about one-twelfth the
ha
lively speaking. always been more pros
porous than her sister colony. Her sta
pie commercial products are the same
though Porto Rico adds fine quality OF
coffee 10 her other output. The commerce
of Porto Rico has always borne pro-
portion to the total commerce of the An
titles quite out of relation TO her size. Her
remarkable prosperity has been due not
only to her excellent climate and soil, but
TO a great extent also TO her indlsposl-
ton to political upheaval The revolution
lists in Cuba have vainly struggled 10
raise a similar party Of some strength In
Porto Rico. The reason for their tndiffer-
ent success is partly historical, as may
be seen by a glance backward.
Porto Rico began to develop her natural
resources only about seyenty-five years
ago At that time Spain was paying but
little attention to her West Indian colo
MES. except as watering stations fresh
water being then. in the days OF sailing
ships, much the same desideratum which
coal is now. The port of Aguadilla, among
others Is memorable for having supplied
fresh water to Columbus when he discoV-
cred the island in 1893. The Spanish gov
eminent was occupied chiefly with the
rich mines of Mexico and Peru, and Porto
Rico served for long time merely as
place Of Punishment for convicts. 1t Is
thus only since the great connection of
1920. that the Antilles began to rise In
importance. Being less outwardly valua-
BILE, and hence less misruled because at
tracing less attention. they all remained
loyal to the mother country up TO that
time In spite of attepts TO induce them to
follow the colonies on the mainland into
rebellion.
From that time forward. however, the
Antilles became more and more conspic-
uous. and as their resources came gradu-
ally to light, hosts Of greedy Spanish ad-
venturers and office-holders fiocked
thither in search of quick fortunes. Cuba,
being the larger of the two notable is
lands, attracted the greater multitude or
these parasites, and Porto Rico enjoyed
rity in developing her resources in slow
er but surer way. From 1920 to 1923 politi-
cal tumult was the rule there as every
where else in the Spanish dominion; but
Don Miguel de la Tore. being sent there
as captain-general, succeeded in re-es-
tablishing order, and during the next ten
wears the island laid the foundation of her
later prosperity. All the considerable
capitalists who had formerly traded in the
Spanish possessions on the mainland and
had remained loyal TO Spain, and many OF
the better class of Span!ards who had set
tied in the newly enfranchised republics
of Spanish America but had been expelled
by local DEGREES, took refuge in the Islands
of Cuba and Porto Rico, thus greatly in
creasing the population and wealth OF
both.
The Spanish blood which flows in the
veins of so large a proportion Of the peo-
pie Of Porto Rico has not succeeded in /
spelling her career. as already shown, and
this fact speaks volumes for the natural
capacity of the island, and for the posi- |
bility of her industrial and commercial /
eminence If she should ever pass under /
the domination OF an enterprising nation. I
BY her geographical position she Is pecu- !
liarly adapted to become the center Of /
Cuba, Haytl. and Jamaica, as well as to /
the Gulf Of Mexico and the Bay of Hon /
duras She IS contiguous 10 the posses /
sions Of France and Denmark and in the I
right hands might easily undersell these 1
nations in their own colonies.
Apart from the natural wealth of her /
soil, Porto Rico has the advantage Of be- /
ing well supplied with wood and water. /
which are generally scarce in the islands 1
OF the same archipelago. Many Of these, /
being destitute OF springs, depend almost 1
altogether on the water collected after the 1
periodical rains, while for wood they have /
TO resort to distant colonies. Among the /
agencies which have contributed much 70 I
her growth in wealth. are her abundant
rivers. Seventeen streams, taking their
rise in the mountins cross the valleys Of /
the north coast and empty into the sea
Some Of these are ravigable for smaller
merchant vessel for distance OF two or
or three leagues but have Troublesome bars
across their mouths There are also q few
lakes, and altogether not less than forty
SIX water-courses worthy Of chartiug. The
facilities for internal navigation. for driy-
ing machinery by water and steam pow
er and for irrigation, are uncommon Tor
an island Of her size and situation. More
over fhere IS almost q total absence OF
stagnant water. such as does 50 much (
to vi.iste the climate Of tropical ard Sent
tropical countries generally. Il j. pleasant +
10 know that very few snakes or other
venomous reptiles are 70 be found there.
30 that the natives have 10 hesitancy Ia
sleeping IL the midst OF the forest: the IS
ard Is however. infested with enormous
rats which invade the s1gsr-caue In great
armies. and DO a deal q damage. There