The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-07
VALUE OF THE ISLAND
Some of the Resources of Porto
s Rico.
CHANGES FOR CAPITAL
Fifteen Millions in Trade VIII Come
to the United States-Agriculture
the Basis of Wealth-Sugar
and Coffee Plantations.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
San Juan, Porto Rico, Dec. 12.-The
value of this island TO the United States
should not be overestimated Varied
and many representations concerning
Porto Rico are being made daily: some
soriginate from men who have things
to sell, be it land or merchandise; 9TH
ers from those whose interests are serv-
ed by the presence here of Americans
with money in their pockets and still
other statements are made in an eX-
aggeration that arises from ignorance
and carelessness.
In considering the Porto Rico of to-
day and the developed Porto Rico of
the future, it would be we'll to set
down these facts: The island has an
AREA of $3.50 square miles: that of the
state of Connecticut is 4.15O square
miles and that of New Jersey is $500
Square miles. The population of Porto
sRico is less than 300 1000: there are va
rious estimates of population ranging
from 100000 to this figure. A Spanish
census of about 10 years ago puts the
population at $4,000. which is less than
that Of the city of Brooklyn. Accord
department of agriculture, entitled
TRADE of Puerto Rico the annual av-
erage imports of this island from 1892
1896 to all countries amounted to 49,
500 pesos which amount is calculat-
ed to equal $17,4S0,494 in Amer
lean money and the annual
average of exports for the same five
years is given at 16, 1884 ,499 pesos, or $16,-
39O,o41. The island is densey populat-
ed and closely cultivated, the popula-
ton per square mile being 229. Its COM
mercial output can certainly be in
creased and its consumption of foreign
merchandise will augment with the de-
Nelopment necessary to bring about this
first condition. Grant that exports ard
imports ultimately increase so per cent,
Porto Rico could then supply about 10
per cent. of what the United States
yearly consumes in tropical products
and she would be a market for about
two per cent. of our yearly exports.
When these facts are considered one
reaches a fair idea Of the commercial
value of this new possession.
AS a winter and health resort, Porto
Rico will have its attractions; there is
a beautiful country to be seen, tropical
land strange. The climate is delightful
in winter, and when we obtain the re-
suits of army statistics concerning the
health of our soldiers in barracks, we
will know the dangers thereof. There
is much evidence to indicate that this
climate is a healthy one, but the life
in cities is not as yet. There are few
beautiful drives on the island, though
the greater majority of the roads are
wretched, and there are cool moun-
tain locations well suited for comfort
able hotels. The advantage of the ISL
and as a naval outpost is great To
our country at large, this is probably
&c
Establishment here of a first-class navy
station and supply depot is a question
of time only. Porto Rico will also be
a training ground for the American SOL
der, who will find himself as a police-
man in the land.
There are always a number of ad-
venturous spirits to follow armies,
ready to grasp all advantages arising
from the economic changes that follow
armed intervention There has been no
lack of such men to follow the Ameri-
can army into Porto Rico. Some of
them We're experienced in their work
and knew how to direct their efforts
through the confusion resulting from
the radical political changes occurring
here daily or threatened for the near
future. There have also been many who
could not content themselves with these
conditions, whose small capital was
soon exhausted by heavy travelling eX-
penses and who We're glad to get home
as best they might. Porto Rico has not
been an easy field for the amateur ad-
yenturer. Newspaper reports have been
misleading, and, read up North through
rose-colored glasses and, with a few
hundred dollars young men have start
ed down here in the everlasting hunt for
the golden opportunity which has not
yet been found.
Yet there are opportunities for profit
able investment here. 1t requires a COO
head and clear mind to seek then
out and recognize them when found
and then it takes capital to work them
This is no new country, where every
thing remains to be done; it is an ole
country, where everything has beer
done.
When we speak Of SIT. 500, 900 worth O
imports into Porto Rico it must b,
borne in mind that that amount repre-
sents the islands business with all tht
world, and while it is fact that unde
free trade with the United States TIL
larger proportion of this money will b
expended for American goods, yet a Ger
tain portion, which is estimated a
S2.h00,000 year. will be spent in foreign
markets, notably in Spain. and for arti
eles We do not produce and which TIN
Islanders want and will have. The for
eign trade of Porto Rico has been il
the past conducted chiefly with Spain
the United States, Cuba, Germany, tn
United Kingdom and France. Eighty
five per cent. of the merchandise i'm
ported and exported during the year
1S93-1S96 was exchanged with thes
countries. Spain received the larges
share of this trade, her portion amount
ing annually to s9.SSS,O74, or 30 per CEN