New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-18
GENERAL HENRY HONE AGAIN.
HE TALKS OF PORTO RICANs AND THINKS
THEY WILL MAKE GOOD CITIZENS IN
FOUR GENERATIONS.


The transport Mcpherson with Major-General
Guy " Henry and more than six hundred dis
charged soldiers from Porto Rico and Cuba, was
released from Quarantine soon after o'clock yes
terday and proceeded TO the pier at Pacihc-st,
Brooklyn where the soldiers and the passengers
disembarked.
General Henry was seen on the transport. and
spoke freely on Porto Rican questions. He said
that his experience OF four months in Ponce. be-
fore taking the Governor Generalshp, had shown
him that the Porto Ricans were friendly to the
United States Government and easily guided by
kindness and that in view OF their habits, Ian
guage and other conditions. American methods
should be introduced gradually This he said, had
been his policy.
II consider" General Henry continued. that In
nv administration Of more than FIVE months the
route to prosperity surveyed broad-gauge
roadbed made rails laid, rolling stock furnisned
and locomotives started. 1t now remains FOR capt.
tai. with judIcious and conservative adnhiS''a-
tion to operate the road"
AS a field for investment, General Henry SAID:
"rhe island is a place for capital not for poor
mon lust now there are thousands or laoorers
without employment At the time left the isiahd
1900 were employed on the roads under my nlrec-
ton at 30 cents day. American money ana the
average nav for unskllled plantation workers Is
9s cents n day There many excellent people
among the Porto Rcans. and they are well edu-
Gated hut Of course the masses are In ignorance.
II will take generations to make good American
citizens OF them for you cannot get former gen
eratIons Of inlquity and moral degradation out OF
them in a minutes time believe the great-great-
grandchildren Of the present generation VIII MAKE
fine citizens. ~, .h
THE one great need now is schools Even 'he
ohudrar asl for teachers The minds OF me
vnuno children are literally sponges. Ctlmatey;
/ believe the people will be htted TOT d 'ei'i'o'
form Of government ~ ,bo cartres Is
'.The sanitary conditions OF al the cS iann 70
frrhtfui commissioned Captain DaVlus39n o W
look into IT, and to clean up the larger pldhceS,
nart,cniarIv San Juan. Since then there mas peen
a marvellous Improvement. The customs 10y. tar
have averaged $4,000 a month when is very ra;
! think The soil is most fertile, so tnde SaVs
can he raised one after another In RAPID s 1s
sinr This "a unfortunate, as the PORTO IlIcdnsS
&c short sig hted and sapping the strehstn
az the coil so that they will soon nave 10 use
fertilizers" ,. ,os .sted about the letter
, nJn Uunoz Rivera. which alleged that he was
W liza ,ot on his own request, but on account OF
~ ,nanv mistakes. and which was printed IN thc
~ emocTac ia I" OF Ponce. he said ,, - 49,
..1rho 'atter speaks for Itself RIVERA was lne
.Is,t ~ tho cabinet and wanted 70 run thlnss
Pt.eSssuIF making me a mere fgure-heao purpoySto
~ nm things myself and put MN out s,
he doesn't like me much. and don pilie mi Tn;
ne ~ Porto Rico however, because ola NOT leei
ei, I,sd 20 nut I'm another summer there. and
sn va ell ID 10 be relieved. The summers are eiei
,,o,irc md the strain was great a., ~. o,s
Nnn.s.ral Henry accompanied py MS VIE anu
Aiah,sr Mrs Benton, and his personal stan. ne
uaut s ~ ,ha Grand Hotel where he expects 10 re-
Main for several days and then go to "ashihs'on