The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-09-18

t.caily all gae coffee soes % Europe sas
can ontasn nsgher prices, especially for t1s
| nrs grades, which rsrk with Java and
| f-rite1 states. whlie the fact that TIE ex-
rs3rt duty on coffee, tobacco ard cattle Vas
c1aragsd exporters TO send their goods 10
| eenraxsd exporters TO sent their goods TO
spanish ports. OF ihs sr1p=ortstzons ahouS
~ per cent. are manufactured articles.
largely cotton cloths shoes fancy goods
ard articles cf household use. Is Per cent
rice. "a Per cent fish 10 per cent. meats
and lard and per cent hogr. Nasurally
the duty collected on articles from that
country was only one-te1th Of that or ar
ticles from other countries. While cor
sGersh3e sgzg are collected from the
tariff tbs Spanish government also eoa-
ieeted a large amount by other n~thots
81 10 pay the Spanish government one
half az much Tax was collected for The
local government, whose expenses were
h.zh. thus making the tax burden very
MUCK interest is already being evsnced
By people from the United States III The
matter OF Investments n Puerto Rico AMI
Or. 5his subject there - variety OF opiE.-
ion. coree plantations are first eonsid-
cred. as they have reputa ton o: having
pn ,s p q hs ysa are pi held S q, hisa
prices however. from 80 20 tao per acre
IN Puerto Kican rr1orey. according 70 ioca.
trees. etc The west par; 81 the island Is
corE idered the best for coffee and pro-
dgces the celebrated Cafe Caracol:lla'
which r ali sent TO Europe AZ the export
price OF - cents per pound IN Puerto
Rscan money. Sugar plantations are con-
staered next In Importance and are rela-
lively higher In price. because Of the more
expensive machinery required. while their
aIsrsetiyensss as Investments IS reduced by
The fact that many plantations have q
late been abandoned as such and turned
INTO cattle ranges. Tobacco has been very
profitable OF late, because % the short
age IN Cuban tobacco for which 1t has been
substituted. though whether IL will con-
flaae its popularity when the Cuban arti-
Gle resumes Its norma! position IN the mar
kst Is uncertain. Tropical fruits have had
iIttle attention, either among local ex-
porters or American investors but might
prove more profitable tnan the other In
tefests more discussed. as they are ready
Yer shipment al time Of the year when
the markets OF the United States have not
oeGnn receiving the Florida or California
fruits. As to the increase which may be
expected IN the production and consurnp-
ton or the island. IL will depend somewhat
upon me improvements made in harbors.
roads trsnsportation facilities. etc. and
the energy with which the Americans may
push the work OF lis development
TIE land in the valleys Is extremely rich
and that .s o. the mountain sides even to the
very top Is of good color and productive,
especially for coffee and some Of the fruits
With the opening Of roads 10 the interior n
t. probable that considerable land not now
usI:sd would be brought under cultivation
and the general CONSENSUS of orsin!on
among intelligent residents of the island .s
that the products can be increased 81 per
cent. or perhaps more, and the profit
greatly increased by modern methods Of
cultivation and transportation and the con-
suning power OF the island increased in
about the same proportion. Even should
mis- happen. however, the island could fur
nisn but abou: 10 per cent. Of our annual
consumption 81 tropical products. and con
sumo but sbout : per cent Of annual
exports Tho business enterprises most like
~ 10 be successful in Porto Rico are those
related 20 the tropical productions which
flourish there. and cannot flourish in the
United states, while 10 our own temper
ate climate and we'll established industries
Should 1e left the task Of supplying the
genera! food products and manufactures re-
CURED by the people there, sending them
TIC products OF our grain fields and fac
tories BY the vessels which return laden
E!'h thcr tropical srOwths. An acre 81
land Ia Porto Rico can produce more Of
value IN sugar or coffee or tobacco or fruit
Tran If planted in corn or potatoes or used
40 pasture while there are single counties
In the United States larger than all Porto
Rico which are only suitable for the pro
sactIon Of :hese general food supplies.
While there Is a general demand for manu-
features in Porto RICO. they can be more
cEeaaiy supplied by our great factories at
hene than TO attempt their manufacture
there especially a. no coal has yet been
developed IN the island and fuel il high
and water power not to he relied upon Ice
factories and breweries would probably 10
well there. and X is believed that
the production Of grag,2s ard the man
ufaclure Of wine would be successful. while
he cigar Industry would be profitable. with
the plentiful native labor and h!gh-grade
tobacco, especially IL all tariff restrictions
upon trade between the island and the t'ni
tel States shall be removed. Among .h@
most important Feeds for the DEVELOPMENT
II the island are a thorough survey and
REIMBURSEMENT Of property lines and titles.
construction Of roads and harhor facilities
and the establish NJ If such hotel enter
prisez "a VIII make practicable a lesurely
ard careful study u It's conditions. condi-
tons ~hich have never been carefully
studied or developed b. the Spanish govern
ment, which has controlled the island since
1900
''As a resort for pleasure seekers or those
desiring a delightful winter climate. Porto
E.co VIII be very attractive so soon as Ii
rect and fast steamship lines and American
hotels supply some. Of The comforts 10
come accustomed TIE constant breeze
from the sea Nv day and the land al night
renders the climate a fairly comfortable
ere even in August. and the opportunity 70
obtain amozt any desired altitude coupled.
with ;he mineral Strings which are said
20 around, VIII make the island attract We
"a those seeking health. as we'll rscrea-
;lon
In The c3,ies ana towns the succession al
strange sights and sounds presents a kai@5-
slcscopiC and always interesting spectacle
The street vendors. carrying their stores
fipon their heads or in huge pann.ors upon
iitninuiiSc PONIES. announce their wares in
strange and uot uumusical cries. long ines
- rude carts drawn BY broad-hcrned bul-
locks crowd the streets. native women
,nlukinE black cigars 81 hithsr AMI thifher
abide children az all Cclrrs and ages below
\ dtsfcrt themselves unconceTuedly uoon
tne sidewalks and streets while soldiers
and officers are every where. busy with their
,!lsties ezta 81 asiug order and rev condl-
SONS. on the country roads the S3c~esSion
n mountains ard valleys covered WITH
sr.fs!csi growth, dasl3ing mountain streams
at,1 ovrrhauring cliffs and the large sugar
ey& coffee plantations dotted with tile t.ilx
hou<c~ g.: their native wprRmVn present a
panorama ~ constant interest
''Parto BIro now resumes. poiit oaiiy. th@
relations with THIS continent Whch iorx
$50 existed physically. Torn by great ma
uTz! movements from ne mainland az
which this chain ~ star ds doubtless form
- a ~arf she IL uow restored by auot aer
great natural movement which - reurit{!14.
.hr cont O,clts ana countries anA islands IN
| r system II republics having one great par
| pose 81 cooperation ard mutual aaFanra-
mont Alono $50 can furnish hat esna,l
part - the tropical Sappifes for wAich ~
| haVg Nrcv accustomed 20 send $50 fEsf So