The San Francisco call., 1898-07-03
WHAT PORTO RICANS :
 THINK OF THE WAR


 tained from French gentleman
 who returned from visit to. :.
 \ Porto Rico and he ueighboring
 islands at the beginning of the war. In reply to the question of hoy the people of Porto Rico would like annexation to the United States, I was told that they regard. ed it as the most practical solution. of their difficulties. They are not and have not been content with Spanish rule for some years but as the island is small, all revolts have been promptly put down by Spain. The Cuban rebel lion has been followed with the. utmost interest at Porto Rico, as it's success has been looked on as a possible means of accomplishing the independence. of the smaller island, either as. a. republic . or part of the Cuban republic .: ..
 Public opinion, however, since the commencement of the war, has leaned to the hope that the island will fall into . hands of the Americans, as not only would 1t have the protection of tried and stable government, but American :: capital would develop the marvellous resources of the country.
 With this end In view the President : of the Porto Rican Junta, which, like that of Cuba, has its headquarters in :: New York, has had several interviews with President Mckinley, and has probably given the American Govern. ment some valuable information.
 Autonomy in Porto Rico does not seem to have brought the blessings that were predicted for it. The Porto Ricans a p0nH h11siracc progressive in their various industries; but as they have never had any experi- :. ence in governing they are inclined to ask of autonomy what a British. sub-- ject did when the king knighted him, What shall I do with it?' The only benefit they seem to derive from it is that, instead of being robbed by off, cials sent from Spain and having. the. money thus obtained taken out of the. country, they are plundered by officials of their own choice, and the. money re- mains at home.
 The interpretation of autonomy by some of the lawer classes is extremely amusing. They consider that law and order is at an end and that they are at liberty to do practically as, they like The vigilance of the police has had to be increased in consequence. The peo- pie are not, on the whole, anxious for self government, and if justice-a thing unknown in Spanish courts-reduction of taxation and import duties can be assured them, they would willingly leave the government to others.
 The island is self-supporting, not in debt, and last year a surplus of $1,000,- 900 was taken out of the treasury by Spain and added to the Cuban war fund. The exports of the five chief products of the island for one year are as follows: Coffee, $14,500, 900; tobacco, $5, ,000 900; sugar, $4,000, ,000; molasses, $500 0OO-total, SPA, 100000.
 Besides these a large business is car ried on with the neighboring islands in cattle and hides. All these products are capable of being greatly increased. Eatables. lumber and machinery are imported from the United States, hard ware mostly from England, and textiles from England and Spain, owing to strong protection.
 As there are heavy duties on Porto Rican goods entering Spain, the United States are found to be better market for the islands products, while Spain protects its own goods in Porto Rico with a duty that, on some articles, reaches go per cent.
 Porto Rico was settled by Juan Ponce de Leon, whose connection with Florida is well known, and who founded Ponce, the town being named after him. The island Is about 100 miles long and forty miles wide. The population is nearly 1000, 900, 25 per cent of which is black. The capital is San Juan, which was re- gently bombarded, situated on a small island, and connected with the larger one by a bridge The only Qualifications are at San Juan and consist of two forts-Morro and San Cristobal-which are 200 years old. The battery consists of about sixteen breech-loading guns of Spanish make, and the Spaniards boast that they make the finest guns In the world. Recent events have proved the contrary and my informant, seemed to think that some exceptions might be taken to the sweeping asser- tion among the European nations as we'll The garrison at Porto Rico num- bers about 1000 men, who are armed with Mauser rifles and are stationed along the coast.
 The highroads are kept in excellent condition and compare most favorably with the English roads, which to the American cyclist seem little short of Paradise. There are also several lines of railroads between the most impor- tant towns, but they are more remark able for the eccentrioity of their time tables than anything else.
 San Juan Is a town of about 35, 900 in- habitants and is well cared for by the authorities. The paving of the streets is particularly excellent, being superior to that of either London or Paris The people of the island are strong and healthy, the climate being far better than that of Cuba. Yellow fever is not very prevalent and could probably be almost suppressed if more attention were given to the sanitary conditions.
 London, June 15, 1898. G. B.