The Republican journal., 1899-08-31
Points on Puerto Rico.

So much has been written concerning
Puerto Rico since the United States
acquired that island that there really is
little more left to be said. 1t is a
small island, containing not more than
thirty six hundred square miles; but
geographically so we'll situated that this
Government has obtained a little treasure.
As a naval station it is the best in the
West Indies. 1t is situated about fifteen
hundred miles southeast of New York,
and within five days easy sailing from that
city, thus making a conveniently reached
winter resort.
The winters are delightful, and during
the dry season, from December first to
the last part of April, the climate is
Incompatible. Last winter the number
of visitors was surprisingly great, though
the war was hardly over and the accomo-
dations as bad as the proverbial Spanish
ruins. New American hotels are rapidly
being built, and the island will take the
place of Florida within the next two years
as the American Rivera
San Juan, a cityiof about thirty thou
sand inhabitants, is the capital. 1t is on
a small island off the north coast, con-
nected with the mainland by bridge,
over which thousands pass daily to and
from the suburbs. Between the island
and the mainland is formed harbor,
the best in Puerto Rico, which affords
protection for many large vessels.
Around the island on which the city of
San Juan is situated, is an old sea wall,
forming a fortress of the entire city 1t
was built by Spanish engineers centuries
ago, and vas unsuccessfully stormed by
both tie British and the Dutch during
| the last century. At the west end of the
wall is the famous old Moro castle, while
at the east END San Crstobal stands
guard. The city has by far the most for
midable defences of any on the island,
and will stand quite good deal of batter
ing. even from modern guns
Ponce is the second city in size, num-
bering about five thousand less than san
Juan, and is the most important CONNER
cial city-or rather was before the hurri-
cane which recently devastated the south
ern and eastern part of the island. For
years it has been the greatest shipping
centre in Puerto Rico, and time only can
/ tell whether it Will revive from the crush
ing blow it has just received Ponce was
also city made up Of native Puerto Ricans,
and therefore of more interest to Ameri
cans than San Juan, which was the Span
ish political centre. Before the war the
spanish and natives had very little in
common, and consequently there was lit
tie or no social intercourse
Mayaguez, city of ten thousand peo-
pie, is at the extreme end of the island
and is considered by Americans the clean
est and prettiest city in Puerto Rico. 1t
was inhabited by foreigners during the
Spanish regime, who took great pride in
keeping it up to European standards.
The section in which it is located is prin-
cipally devoted TO fruit growing.
There are a number of other smaller
cities, but it is easily seen that the rural
districts are well populated, so the entire
population numbers nearly million,
In the cities the people are educated
and intelligent but the great mass of ma
tives, principally negroes and half breeds,
are ignorant and know little Of the world
beyond their own huts. The highest
standard OF education to be received on
island is at the college Of San Juan, which
compares with our high schools in small
cities.
Gambling is the chief pleasure of the
people; from the little tots who play
pitch penny IN the street, to the swell
planters who play monte in the clubs.
Games are rarely, if ever, played for
pleasure. Cock fighting is the most gen
eral form of amusement, and every boy,
from the ragged street urchin to the rich
est gentleman of business, takes great
pride in his pet fighting cock. Some game
birds cost as much as two hundred dollar.
Cane grinding time-from November
TO MAYS the greatest event OF the year
on sugar plantations; it is then that all
the dances and festivities are held.
The cutting and gathering are very inter
esting sights to one not familiar with
them. Hundreds of natives 60 through
the cane field, cutting right and left with
machetes these are followed by others
who pile the cane in little railway
cars called cradles. 1t is then pulled to
the Central" or grinding station, by
miniature locomotive and in turn piled up
on endless 'feeders.' The feeders carry
it to the huge rollers, where the juice is
squeezed out. What is left is called bag
asse and is used for fuel
The juice is boiled down to thick dark
molasses and passed through centrifugals.
1t comes out sparkling grains of sugar, far
prettier and purer than that which is sent
to this country. Such sugar goes to Eu-
rope. Other molasses is simply crystaliz-